EU Leaders Arrive in India: Trade Deal Hints Amidst Tariff Tensions, Stronger Ties

• Top EU leaders are in India, with discussions hinting at a major Free Trade Agreement (FTA) despite global tariff tensions.
• The India-EU Strategic Partnership, established in 2004, celebrates 20 years, built on shared democratic values and a rules-based international order.
• The EU is India's largest trading partner, with bilateral goods trade reaching approximately $136 billion in FY 2024–25.
• Cooperation extends beyond trade to future technologies like 6G, AI, cybersecurity, and a semiconductor ecosystem through the India–EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC).
• Security collaboration includes joint naval exercises in the Indo-Pacific and efforts against terrorism, piracy, and cyber threats; ISRO and ESA also deepen space cooperation.

Why It Matters: India and the EU are moving towards an indispensable partnership, deepening ties across trade, technology, and security.