New Delhi, 27 January (H.S.): Ahead of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the European Union (EU), Prime Minister Narendra Modi met on Tuesday at Hyderabad House here with European Council President Antonio Luis Santos da Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

The cordial greetings exchanged among the three leaders conveyed a clear message. While posing for a joint photograph, the Prime Minister raised hands with both European leaders to symbolize unity.The European leaders reciprocated by placing hands on hands, signaling intent to elevate India-EU partnership to new heights.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated on X prior to the meeting that Europe and India are making history today. Describing this agreement as the ‘Mother of All Deals’, she noted that a free trade area encompassing two billion people has emerged, benefiting both sides and marking merely the beginning of strengthened strategic ties.

Prime Minister Modi had earlier informed about this trade agreement during his virtual address at the fourth edition of India Energy Week today. He had stated that a major agreement has been reached between India and the European Union. The world is discussing it as the ‘Mother of All Deals’.

EU Trade and Economic Security Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič also described this agreement on X as the largest free trade pact to date. He remarked that it became possible after a year of hard work and over a decade of negotiations. High tariffs will decrease, and new opportunities will arise. He called the partnership the great strength of this deal.

Meanwhile, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal termed it a tremendous partnership for the world.On the other hand, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh shared details today of his meeting in New Delhi with European Commission High Representative and Vice-President Kaja Kallas, expressing hope for greater cooperation between India and European Union countries. He stated that they discussed various bilateral security and defence issues in detail.

Earlier, European leaders Antonio Costa and Ursula von der Leyen paid floral tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat. The ideals of peace and non-violence espoused by Mahatma Gandhi continue to inspire the entire world today.

Notably, during 2024-25, India's bilateral goods trade with the European Union stood at 136.53 billion dollars, with exports at 75.85 billion dollars and imports at 60.68 billion dollars. In services, trade between both reached 83.10 billion dollars in 2024. India also secured a trade surplus of 15.17 billion dollars during this period. The European Union accounts for nearly 17 percent of India's total exports.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar