India, EU to Forge New Strategic Agenda, Boost Defence Ties at 16th Summit

• India and the EU will adopt a new comprehensive strategic agenda at their 16th summit in New Delhi on January 27.
• The summit aims to deepen cooperation in economic, security, and global policy areas, including a potential dedicated security and defence partnership.
• The strategic agenda focuses on prosperity, sustainability, technology, innovation, security, defence, connectivity, and global issues.
• Leaders will discuss ongoing free-trade agreement negotiations, relaunched in 2022, to boost bilateral trade and investment.
• EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič expressed confidence in nearing the conclusion of the free trade agreement.

Why It Matters: India and the EU are set to enhance strategic cooperation, defence, and trade at their 16th New Delhi summit.