PM Modi, EU leaders push for swift India-EU trade deal, peace in Ukraine

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 4 held talks with European Union leaders Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and Antonio Costa, President of the European Council, stressing the “early conclusion” of the long-pending India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA), fast-tracking the IMEEC corridor, and pushing for an end to the war in Ukraine.

In a parallel outreach, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke with Ukraine’s First Deputy Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, reiterating that India backs “an early end to the conflict and the establishment of enduring peace.” Sybiha, who briefed Jaishankar on the battlefield situation, said Kyiv looks to India’s “authoritative voice” in global peace efforts.

The Modi-von der Leyen-Costa call coincided with EU leaders’ Paris consultations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on security guarantees for Kyiv. In a post on X, Modi said India and the EU remain aligned on strengthening their strategic partnership, fostering stability, and “promoting a rules-based order.”

The Prime Minister’s Office underlined that as “the world’s largest democratic forces,” India and the EU share trust, values, and a “common vision for the future.” Leaders agreed to hold the next India-EU summit in New Delhi by early 2026, with plans for a joint strategic agenda.

Brussels is pressing for the trade pact to be wrapped up by end-2025. EU trade chief Maroš Šefčovič is expected in New Delhi next week as negotiations, according to Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, make “rapid progress.”

Von der Leyen and Costa, in identical statements, welcomed India’s continued engagement with Zelenskyy and noted, “India has an important role to play in bringing Russia to end its war of aggression and creating a path towards peace. This war carries global security consequences and undermines economic stability.”