India’s economic and diplomatic relations with Europe are set to deepen in the coming weeks with two major events aimed at enhancing bilateral ties — the resumption of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations between India and the European Union, and the Belgian Economic Mission led by Princess Astrid to India.

EU College of Commissioners Visit to New Delhi:

From February 27-28, 2025, President Ursula von der Leyen, accompanied by the entire European Commission delegation, will visit New Delhi to strengthen the EU-India partnership. This unprecedented visit is aimed at advancing trade, technology, and security cooperation between the world’s two largest democracies. It follows the announcement of a new strategic agenda for EU-India relations, which will be presented during the upcoming EU-India Summit.

According to an official statement from the EU, during the visit, the European Commission will hold a plenary session with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where key areas of collaboration will be discussed. The focus will be on fostering trade, economic security, and resilient supply chains, as well as reinforcing cooperation on global trade issues. The second meeting of the EU-India Trade and Technology Council (TTC) will take place during this visit, with discussions covering clean and green technologies, digital infrastructure, and the compatibility of trade systems.

As both regions seek to align their strategies on technology and innovation, the TTC’s primary objectives will include boosting digital transitions and addressing challenges related to global trade. This visit marks a significant step forward in reinforcing EU-India relations, particularly in a rapidly changing geopolitical and economic landscape.

FTA Talks Between India and the EU

From March 10-14, 2025, in Brussels, India and the EU will resume negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) that aims to create deeper economic ties between the two regions. These talks will continue from where previous discussions left off, with the goal of finalizing a deal that addresses areas like digital trade, intellectual property, and sustainable development.

In 2023, the EU became India’s largest trading partner, with goods trade valued at €124 billion. Over 6,000 European companies operate in India, creating millions of jobs and supporting economic growth. The FTA is expected to further strengthen this economic cooperation, improving market access and facilitating investments across both regions.

The visit of the European Commission delegation to India, starting February 28, 2025, will play a major role in setting the stage for these high-stakes negotiations in March.

Belgian Economic Mission to India: A Focus on Key Sectors

Adding another layer to the strengthening of economic ties, Princess Astrid of Belgium will lead the Belgian Economic Mission to India from March 2-7, 2025. This visit will focus on boosting economic cooperation between Belgium and India, with both New Delhi and Mumbai hosting business seminars and high-level meetings.

The Belgian delegation will have key figures, including the Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Defence (responsible for Foreign Trade), and the Minister-President of Flanders. Alongside them, 338 delegates, including 147 Belgian companies, six federations of chambers of commerce, and nine leading educational institutions, will participate in the mission.

The mission will focus on six key sectors: climate and renewable energy, health and life sciences, construction and eco-construction, transport and logistics, space and defence, and the decarbonization of steel. The program will include a series of business seminars aimed at exploring collaboration opportunities in these areas, fostering stronger ties between Indian and Belgian businesses.

Princess Astrid, alongside the Belgian ministers, will also engage with Indian government officials, reinforcing the growing trade relationship between the two countries.