India-EU FTA: European Commission Chief Ursula Von Der Leyen Arrives In India For 'Mother Of All Deals' Eyes 'quarter Of Global GDP'

New Delhi: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrived in Delhi on Saturday for a four-day visit to India, aimed at expanding bilateral relations and finalizing several key initiatives. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a summit meeting with Costa and von der Leyen on January 27. This meeting is taking place amidst global concerns stemming from the economic and security policies of the US administration under President Donald Trump.

European Council President Antonio Costa will arrive in the national capital on Sunday. Both top European leaders will attend the Republic Day celebrations on January 26 as chief guests. During the summit, India and the European Union are expected to announce the conclusion of the much-anticipated Free Trade Agreement (FTA). In addition, the two sides may also finalize a strategic defense partnership agreement and a framework for the movement of Indian professionals.

What did Ursula von der Leyen say?

Ursula von der Leyen posted on social media platform X, "I'm in India. There's a lot of work ahead, but we are on the verge of a historic agreement. Some might call it the ultimate deal, the mother of all deals. An agreement that will create a market of 1 billion people, representing almost a quarter of global GDP. Europe wants to trade with today's growth centers. As one of the economic powerhouses of the century, Europe will always be the world's first choice, if the world chooses Europe."

Speaking at the World Economic Forum 2026 in Davos earlier this week, Von der Leyen said that the India-EU free Trade Agreement will create a market for more than a billion people.

“Right after Davos, I’ll travel to India. There’s still work to do. But we are on the cusp of a historic trade agreement. Some call it the mother of all deals," she said on Tuesday.

Why is the FTA being termed historic?

Malta's High Commissioner to India, Reuben Gauci, said on Saturday, "Once signed, the FTA will make history." The High Commissioner further stated that Malta, one of the smallest but crucial member states of the 27 EU countries, sees the FTA as an opportunity to boost trade with India.