PM Modi's 'Gandhi of Lisbon' Remark Makes Ursula von der Leyen Smile at India-EU Summit

• PM Modi praised European Council President Antonio Costa as 'Gandhi of Lisbon' for his simple lifestyle and societal love, eliciting a smile from Ursula von der Leyen.
• Modi highlighted Ursula von der Leyen's achievements as Germany's first female defense minister and the first female president of the European Commission, setting an example globally.
• India and the EU signed a historic Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in Delhi, termed the 'Mother of All Deals' by PM Modi, aiming to boost trade and economic opportunities.
• The FTA, representing 25% of global GDP and one-third of global trade, is expected to significantly increase bilateral trade, especially in textiles, gems, jewelry, leather, and footwear.
• The agreement, a culmination of two decades of negotiations, is seen as a strategic move to strengthen India-EU relations amidst geopolitical challenges and foster cooperation in technology and green energy.

Why It Matters: PM Modi's warm remarks and the historic India-EU FTA underscore strengthening ties and shared prosperity.