European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrived in the national capital on Thursday for a two-day official visit, reaffirming India’s role as a trusted friend and strategic ally for Europe.
Accompanied by the European Union College of Commissioners, von der Leyen’s visit will include the second ministerial meeting of the India-EU Trade and Technology Council, along with several bilateral ministerial meetings.
She is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss ways to further enhance the strategic partnership between India and the European Union.
“Touchdown in Delhi with my team of Commissioners. In an era of conflicts and intense competition, you need trusted friends. For Europe, India is such a friend and a strategic ally. I’ll discuss with @narendramodi how to take our strategic partnership to the next level,” von der Leyen said in a post on X.
On her arrival, she was accorded a warm welcome and was received at the airport by Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel.
“Elevating the multifaceted partnership to new heights. President of the @EU_Commission @vonderleyen arrives in New Delhi for the first visit of the EU College of Commissioners to India. Warmly received with a special welcome by MoS for Health & Family Welfare @AnupriyaSPatel at the airport,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on X.
This marks von der Leyen’s third visit to India. She previously visited in April 2022 for a bilateral official visit and in September 2023 to attend the G20 Leaders’ Summit. She has also met PM Modi regularly on the sidelines of various multilateral meetings.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), this visit marks the first-ever trip of the EU College of Commissioners to India as a collective body. It is also among the first such visits since the European Commission’s current mandate began in December 2024, following the European parliamentary elections held in June 2024.
India and the European Union have been strategic partners since 2004, with their bilateral relations expanding across multiple sectors. As both sides enter the third decade of their strategic partnership, the visit of President von der Leyen and the EU College of Commissioners is expected to further strengthen ties based on shared interests and growing cooperation.
-ANI
