PM Narendra Modi Hails 'Historic' India-EU FTA as Blueprint for Shared Prosperity

In a landmark 16th India-EU Summit held in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alongside European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, announced the conclusion of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Prime Minister Modi described the pact as 'a new blueprint for shared prosperity' and the largest trade agreement in India's history, coinciding with the 27th of the month and the 27 nations of the EU. The summit also marked the launch of a first-ever Security and Defence Partnership to enhance cooperation in maritime security, counter-terrorism, and cyber threats. President Costa, noting his personal roots in Goa, emphasized the strategic trust between the two largest democracies. President von der Leyen hailed the deal as the 'mother of all deals,' creating a market of 2 billion people. The leaders also signed a Comprehensive Framework on Mobility to benefit students and professionals, and launched the 'Towards 2030' strategic agenda to guide bilateral ties.