European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrives in India for 2-day visit

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, came to India on Sunday for a two-day official visit to enhance the India-EU strategic alliance. This is her first visit to India as President of the European Commission.

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“Warm and cordial welcome to President of the @EU_Commission @vonderleyen to India. She will be the Chief Guest at @raisinadialogue starting April 25,” the External Affairs Ministry (MEA) spokesperson tweeted.

The European Commission President will see President Ram Nath Kovind and hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during her visit.

Climate change and biodiversity loss, energy and digital transition, connectivity, security and defence, and Indo-Pacific cooperation will be at the forefront of her discussions in Delhi.

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The broad economic agenda of the EU and India will be discussed, with an emphasis on the free trade agreement, investment protection agreement, and geographical indications accord.

The situation between Russia and Ukraine will also be discussed.

During her tour, the President will visit The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) campus known as TERI Gram, where she will communicate with students about the existential threat of climate change and the importance of working together to create a green, digital, and resilient future.

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President von der Leyen will also speak at the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and meet with Indian and European enterprises to discuss the security of energy supply chains.

The President of the European Commission has been invited as this year’s Raisina Dialogue’s Chief Guest and will speak during the opening session on April 25.

“India and the European Union share a vibrant Strategic Partnership which has been witnessing strong growth with wider and deeper cooperation in Political and Strategic, Trade and Commerce, Climate and Sustainability, Digital and Technology aspects as well as people-to-people ties,” according to the MEA statement.

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With the decision to resume trade talks and the inauguration of the India-EU Connectivity Partnership, the India-EU Leaders’ Meeting in May 2021 set new benchmarks.

Over the last decade, EU-India trade in products has expanded by 41%, while trade in services has increased by 76%. According to the EU’s official statement, trade-in products and services between the two sides would total 96 billion euros in 2020.

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The EU is one of India’s top investors, accounting for 16% of total investments received between 2015-20. (Euro 83 billion in 2000-2021).

There are 4,500 European enterprises in India, contributing to the generation of roughly 1.5 million direct and 5 million indirect jobs.