Page 8 - European Union

India, EU to announce historic FTA and defence partnership on Tuesday

An announcement on the conclusion of talks on an ambitious free trade deal and finalisation of a strategic defence pact as well as a mobility framework are set to be the main deliverables at the India-European Union summit talks on Tuesday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa at the summit that is expected to produce a broader vision by the two sides to navigate the geopolitical flux triggered by Washington's policies on trade and security. Costa and von der Leyen graced the 77th Republic Day celebrations at the Kartavya Path here as chief guests. "A successful India makes the world more stable, prosperous and secure. And we all benefit," Von der Leyen said on Monday. Von der Leyen also described the participation of an EU military contingent at the Republic Day parade as a powerful symbol of the deepening security cooperation between the two sides. "It will culminate tomorrow in the

A successful India makes world more stable: EU chief Ursula von der Leyen

A successful India makes the world more stable, prosperous and secure, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Monday, after witnessing the 77th Republic-Day celebrations at the majestic Kartavya Path here, a day ahead of the India-EU summit. Von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa attended the Republic-Day parade as chief guests, joining a select group of global leaders to have graced the country's biggest ceremonial event in the last seven decades. President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, several other Union ministers, the country's top military brass, foreign diplomats and senior officials were among the spectators. "It is the honor of a lifetime to be Chief Guests at the Republic Day celebrations. A successful India makes the world more stable, prosperous and secure. And we all benefit," Von der Leyen said on social media after the ceremony. It was the first time that two top leaders of the ...

India-EU FTA duty cuts could boost luxury car market, says BMW India

Reduction in customs duty on imported cars under the India-EU free trade agreement could enable the growth of the luxury car segment in India, which currently remains minuscule, BMW Group India President and CEO Hardeep Singh Brar said on Monday. The domestic luxury car segment accounts for just 1 per cent of the overall passenger vehicle segment. The India-EU Free Trade Agreement would be a historic milestone benefiting both sides by expanding trade and enabling deeper exchange of technology and innovation, Brar said in a statement. "From an automotive industry perspective, we hope the FTA will include balanced, win-win provisions that help stimulate demand in the luxury segment while strengthening supply chain integration which is especially important in the current geopolitical context," he added. If customs duties on completely built units are reduced, it would help expand the luxury car market in India, Brar stated. "While CBUs (completely built units) currently account for a

EU launches probe into X over Grok AI's sexualised content, says lawmaker

A Commission spokesperson did not immediately respond when asked to confirm if an investigation had been opened

EU leaders' presence at R-Day reflects strength of India-EU ties: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the presence of leaders of the European Union at the Republic Day celebrations underscores the growing strength of the India-EU partnership and the commitment to shared values. "India is privileged to host European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during our Republic Day celebrations," Modi said in a post on X. "Their presence underscores the growing strength of the India-European Union partnership and our commitment to shared values," he said. The prime minister said the visit of the EU leaders will add momentum to the deepening engagement and cooperation between India and Europe across diverse sectors.

ArcelorMittal shuts Ukraine unit as EU green rules, war hit costs

Russia has sharply increased the intensity and scale of its attacks on Ukraine's energy sector, causing blackouts across entire regions and constant restrictions on electricity supplies to industry

Why an India-EU mega trade pact is Modi's best reply to Donald Trump

Von der Leyen wants what she called "the mother of all deals." Prime Minister Narendra Modi should give it to her when she arrives as chief guest at India's Republic Day

PM Modi greets nation on 77th Republic Day, parade at 10:30 am: Details

India marks its 77th Republic Day on Monday; President Droupadi Murmu will lead celebrations with EU leaders as chief guests, parade highlights 150 years of Vande Mataram

Beyond FTA: India, EU near deals on security and defence, mobility

Ahead of the 16th India-EU Summit, the Union Cabinet has approved some proposed agreements, including on security, defence and mobility

India, EU move to seal trade pact, deepen security and defence ties

India and the EU move to conclude a much-awaited trade pact while elevating security, defence and mobility ties, signalling a broader strategic alignment amid global uncertainty

With EU FTA, textile firms hope to surpass Bangladesh in European exports

India's textile and apparel industry expects the India-EU trade deal to boost exports, help Tiruppur overtake Bangladesh in Europe and revive growth after tariff-led losses

India's arsenal might to be on display at 77th Republic Day parade

VandeMataram@150, Operation Sindoor, EU military contingent, and Atmanirbhar Bharat to headline the parade

EU's new GSP curbs impact only 2.7% of India's exports to the bloc: Govt

The EU's revised GSP rules will affect just 2.66% of India's exports to the bloc, with most major industrial sectors already graduated due to higher competitiveness

India, EU near FTA finish line, aim to close talks at January 27 summit

India and the European Union are in the final and most difficult phase of free trade agreement talks, with both sides aiming to announce the conclusion at the India-EU Summit in New Delhi on January 2

'Relations with US have taken a big blow', says EU foreign policy chief

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said relations with the US have taken a big blow in the past week, as tensions rose over Greenland and tariff threats during an emergency summit

EU ready to implement Mercosur trade deal despite parliament vote to delay

The European Union is willing to implement a sweeping free trade agreement with the Mercosur group of South American countries on a provisional basis, the head of the EU's executive commission said Friday, despite a vote by the EU parliament to delay ratification for legal review. The EU would be ready to act as soon as at least one Mercosur country ratifies, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said at the conclusion of a summit of EU leaders in Brussels, where several national leaders raised the issue. "There is a clear interest that we ensure that the benefits of this agreement apply as soon as possible," von der Leyen said at a news conference. "In short, we will be ready when they are ready." No formal decision to implement the deal had been taken yet, she said. At the same news conference, Antonio Costa, head of the EU council of member governments, said the executive commission had the authority to move ahead on interim implementation. A decision to do that is

European Union suspends GSP export benefits; to impact India's shipments

EU has withdrawn GSP tariff benefits on 87% of Indian exports from January 2026, raising duties on key sectors and hitting competitiveness ahead of the India-EU FTA

'Left with no alternative': EU freezes US trade deal over Greenland threat

The European Parliament's trade committee was set to decide its stand on the deal on January 26-27, but the vote has now been postponed

Markets giving too much importance to pending India-US trade deal: Analysts

India's exports to the EU, Incred suggests, are already comparable to those to the US, and within two-three quarters, supply chains can pivot meaningfully toward Europe

Five questions that will dominate debate in India and the world in 2026

Five major themes set to shape economic debate in 2026, from India-EU trade ties and fiscal strategy to data revisions, Fed independence and the risks around AI investment