PM Modi in Sweden: Strategic Partnership, FTA push and a pitch to double trade in five years
India and Sweden announced a five-year roadmap covering trade, defence, AI, space, startups, mobility and sustainability during Modi’s Gothenburg visit.
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas arrived in New Delhi on Saturday on her first official visit to India. The visit comes as India and the European Union step up engagement on trade, security and defence cooperation.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs described the timing as significant.
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MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the visit offers an opportunity to strengthen the India–EU Strategic Partnership, following a series of recent high-level interactions.
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“A warm welcome to EU HRVP Kaja Kallas on her first official visit to India as the EU High Representative/Vice-President. The visit comes at an opportune moment to further strengthen the India–EU Strategic Partnership, building on the momentum of regular high-level engagements,” Jaiswal posted on X.
Trade talks and security partnership form the backdrop
The visit comes as trade negotiations between India and the European Union gather pace.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has described the proposed agreement as the “mother of all deals”.
Speaking at the World Economic Forum, she said the pact would create a market of around two billion people and account for nearly a quarter of global GDP.
She said such an agreement would position India and the EU as major economic players in the 21st century.
Security cooperation is also moving forward.
Addressing the European Parliament earlier, Kallas said Europe was ready to take forward a new agenda with India. She announced that the EU has agreed to proceed with the signing of a new Security and Defence Partnership.
Republic Day invitation signals growing political engagement
European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will be the Chief Guests at India’s 77th Republic Day celebrations on January 26, 2026.
Both leaders will be on a State Visit to India from January 25 to 27, 2026, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They will also co-chair the 16th India–EU Summit on January 27.
During the visit, meetings are expected with President Droupadi Murmu. Delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Modi are also planned. An India–EU Business Forum is likely to be held on the sidelines of the summit.
India and the European Union have been strategic partners since 2004.
The last India–EU Summit was held virtually in July 2020. Bilateral ties expanded further following the visit of the EU College of Commissioners to India in February 2025.
The EU is among India’s largest trading partners. India, in turn, is playing a growing role in Europe’s economic resilience.
Cooperation under the EU–India Trade and Technology Council is shaping joint work on artificial intelligence, semiconductors, cybersecurity and digital infrastructure.
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