New Delhi, January 25 (ANI) — European Council President Antonio Luís Santos da Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen received a guard of honor upon their arrival in India on Sunday.
Costa expressed his pleasure at arriving in New Delhi ahead of the 16th EU-India Summit. In a post on X, he said, “Honored to arrive in New Delhi for the 16th EU-India Summit, on the eve of India’s 77th Republic Day. Celebrating a strong and growing EU-India partnership—from trade and security to the clean transition and vibrant people-to-people connections.”
India is set to host the 16th EU-India Summit on January 27, with a wide range of issues expected to be discussed. Leaders are anticipated to adopt a joint EU-India comprehensive strategic agenda and expand regional and multilateral cooperation.
The European Union will be represented at the summit by European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host the meeting, according to a statement from the European Council.
The statement quoted Costa as saying, “India is a crucial partner for the EU. Together, we share the capacity and responsibility to protect the rules-based international order.”
The summit will provide an opportunity to build on the EU-India strategic partnership and further strengthen collaboration across key policy areas, including trade, security and defense, the clean transition, and people-to-people cooperation.
Presidents Costa and von der Leyen will also attend India’s 77th Republic Day celebrations on January 26 as guests of honor.
The summit takes place amid positive momentum in EU-India relations in recent years and sustained high-level engagement across multiple domains. In October 2025, the Council of the EU endorsed a new strategic EU-India agenda aimed at further strengthening ties.
At the summit, leaders are expected to adopt a joint EU-India comprehensive strategic agenda designed to enhance strategic cooperation across areas such as prosperity and sustainability, technology and innovation, security and defense, connectivity, and global issues.
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