EU leaders begin visit, PM flags trade & mobility pacts, Pg1

Key Highlights:

• European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa are visiting India to advance India-EU trade negotiations.
• The EU-India Summit, hosted by PM Modi on January 27, aims to launch a cooperation framework on mobility for students, researchers, and skilled professionals.
• India's total trade in goods with the EU was approximately US$ 136 billion in FY 2024-25, with exports around US$ 76 billion.
• PM Modi emphasized that trade and mobility agreements with various countries would create new opportunities for India’s youth during the Rozgar Mela.

Detailed Insights:

• The EU-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is a key focus of the visit, aiming to improve market access and diversify supply chains for both sides.
• The EU-India Summit will focus on deepening cooperation across trade, security, defence, clean energy, and people-to-people contacts.
• A comprehensive strategic agenda for the next five years, covering economic relations, sustainability, technology, and global challenges, will be endorsed at the summit.
• The leaders are expected to sign the EU-India security and defence partnership to enhance mutual security and economic resilience.
• Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into India has increased significantly, with more than two-and-a-half times the FDI coming into India compared to the 10 years before 2014.
• The government is signing trade and mobility agreements with many countries to create new opportunities for India’s youth power within the country and across the world.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Free Trade Agreement (FTA): An agreement between two or more countries to reduce or eliminate barriers to trade, such as tariffs and quotas.
• Foreign Direct Investment (FDI): An investment made by a firm or individual in one country into business interests located in another country.
• Mobility Agreement: An agreement between countries that facilitates the movement of people, including students, researchers, and professionals, for education, training, or employment purposes.