Ukraine, FTA and more: What India’s Modi discussed with EU leaders

India and European Union have pledged to increase cooperation after a recent call between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen. But the most important takeaway could be a possible Free Trade Agreement, which has been long-pending.

Ursula von der Leyen, the leader of the 27-nation bloc, said the agreement could be signed as soon the end of this year. But if not, Indian and the European Union have anyway agreed to hold a joint summit next year — setting the stage for fast-tracked trade negotiations. The update comes just days after US President Donald Trump’s punishing tariffs against India kicked in.

PM Modi reiterated India's consistent support for peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict and early restoration of peace and stability.

The leaders underlined the role of the India-EU strategic partnership in jointly addressing global issues, fostering stability, and promoting a rules-based order for mutual prosperity, an Indian readout said.

They also discussed holding the next India-EU summit in India at an early date of mutual convenience and PM Modi invited Costa and von der Leyen for the same. In a social media post, Modi described the conversation as "very good".

"Reaffirmed our shared commitment for an early conclusion of the India-EU FTA and implementation of the IMEEC corridor. Exchanged views on issues of mutual interest and efforts for bringing an early end to the conflict in Ukraine. We agreed that our Strategic Partnership has a key role to play in fostering stability and promoting a rules-based order," he said.

On the Ukraine conflict, von der Leyen said India has an important role to play in bringing Russia to end "its war of aggression and helping create a path towards peace". The European Commission president welcomed India's continued engagement with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

"This war carries global security consequences and undermines economic stability. So it is a risk to the entire world," she said on 'X'.

Long-due Free Trade Agreement

But when will this Free Trade Agreement be signed? Turns out, it could be as soon as the end of this year.

The India-EU FTA had been put on hold for almost 8 years starting in 2013 after disagreements on facts like customs duties and automobiles among others. The talks were then revived in 2022.

A readout of the call from the Indian government said the two leaders welcomed progress in bilateral relations in key sectors such as trade, technology, investment, innovation, sustainability, defence, security and supply chain resilience.