India-EU Partnership Set for 'Transformational Moment' with FTA, Defence Pact

• The 16th India-EU Summit is deemed a "transformational moment" for global geopolitics by EU officials.
• A historic "Comprehensive Strategic Agenda for 2030" is nearing finalization, including a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and a Security and Defence Partnership.
• The FTA, dubbed the "mother of all deals," aims to create a unified market of two billion people and diversify supply chains, despite ongoing negotiations on "sensitive areas" like CBAM.
• A new Security and Defence Partnership will enhance industrial ties, focus on maritime security, counter-terrorism, cyber defence, and facilitate information sharing.
• The summit will also feature an MoU on Mobility for Indian workers, students, and researchers, and discussions on the IMEEC and cross-border terrorism from Pakistan.

Why It Matters: India and the EU are poised for a significant strategic leap with a new FTA and defence partnership.