European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen Visits India to Strengthen AI, Trade, and Defence Ties

 European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has arrived in New Delhi for a two-day official visit aimed at reinforcing India-EU relations across key sectors, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), trade, defence, and security. This visit marks the first high-level engagement of the EU College of Commissioners since they assumed office in December 2024.



Strengthening Strategic Ties

Upon her arrival, Union Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare, Anupriya Patel, extended a warm welcome to the EU Commission chief at the Delhi airport. Shortly after, von der Leyen expressed her enthusiasm for the discussions ahead, posting on X (formerly Twitter):

"Touchdown in Delhi with my team of Commissioners. In an era of conflicts and intense competition, you need trusted friends. For Europe, India is such a friend and a strategic ally. I’ll discuss with @narendramodi how to take our strategic partnership to the next level."

The visit is significant as it is the first-ever collective trip of the EU College of Commissioners—22 of the 27 EU Commissioners—to India, underscoring the growing importance of Indo-EU relations.

AI, Trade, and Defence on the Agenda

The delegation is set to discuss boosting AI collaboration at both EU and bilateral levels. This aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent participation in the Paris AI Action Summit, which emphasized India's commitment to advancing AI innovation and regulation. The EU, having established key AI norms and legislation, sees India as a crucial partner in this domain.

In the realm of defence and security, talks will focus on strengthening cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, given its strategic significance. Both sides are expected to explore ways to enhance collaboration in areas such as space technology, investment, digital infrastructure, semiconductors, clean energy, green hydrogen, sustainable urbanization, and water management.

Trade and Technology Council (TTC) Meeting

A major highlight of the visit is the second Ministerial Meeting of the Trade and Technology Council (TTC), where discussions will center on:

  • Digital and strategic technologies

  • Resilient supply chains

  • Clean and green technologies

  • Trade and investment strategies

India-EU Trade Relations

The European Union is India’s largest trading partner in goods, with bilateral trade witnessing a significant 90% growth in the past decade. India-EU trade in goods reached USD 135 billion in 2023-24, including USD 76 billion in Indian exports and USD 59 billion in imports.

Additionally, bilateral trade in services stood at USD 53 billion in 2023, while Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from the EU to India totaled USD 117.4 billion from April 2000 to September 2024, constituting 16.6% of India's total FDI equity inflows.

A Pivotal Visit for the Future

With a focus on emerging technologies, economic cooperation, and geopolitical alignment, von der Leyen’s visit is expected to deepen India-EU collaboration and pave the way for long-term strategic engagement. As both regions continue to navigate global challenges, this visit highlights their shared commitment to a stronger, more resilient partnership in the years ahead.

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