Leaders from both sides are also set to announce the conclusion of negotiations for the long-pending free trade agreement (FTA), which was first launched in 2007 and relaunched in 2022. The pact is expected to boost bilateral trade and investment flows and support shared economic growth.
European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will represent the European Union at the 16th EU-India summit, which will be hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Security and defence cooperation is expected to be a key focus area, with discussions centred on advancing a formal security and defence partnership between India and the EU.
The summit is also expected to build on the broader strategic partnership, with leaders seeking to strengthen cooperation in areas such as trade, clean energy transition and people-to-people ties.
Costa and von der Leyen will also attend India’s 77th Republic Day celebrations on January 26 as chief guests.
The meeting comes amid growing momentum in India-EU relations and sustained high-level engagement across sectors. In October 2025, the EU Council endorsed the new strategic agenda, underlining its objective of further deepening ties with India.