Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his congratulations to Ursula von der Leyen on Friday following her re-election as President of the European Commission for a second term. PM Modi expressed his eagerness to continue strengthening the strategic partnership between India and the European Commission.

In a post on X, PM Modi said, “Congratulations, @vonderleyen, on your re-election as the President of the European Commission. Look forward to working together to strengthen the India-Eurpoean Commission Strategic Partnership for global good.”

On June 28, EU leaders met in Brussels to determine the bloc’s leadership for the next five years. The summit saw the nomination of von der Leyen for a second term as European Commission President, Antonio Costa as President of the European Council, and Kaja Kallas, the Estonian Prime Minister, as High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

However, Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban expressed dissent over some of the nominations. Meloni opposed the appointments of Costa and Kallas, while abstaining on von der Leyen’s nomination. Orban, on the other hand, opposed von der Leyen’s candidacy but supported Costa and abstained on Kallas.

Despite these objections, Von der Leyen secured her nomination. “I would like to express my gratitude to the leaders who endorsed my nomination for a second mandate,” said von der Leyen on her re-nomination. “I am very honoured.”

The appointments of Von der Leyen and Kallas still require approval from the European Parliament. However, Costa’s appointment as Council President is automatic due to his previous role, and he is set to assume office on December 1.

Costa, in accepting his new role, expressed a sense of mission, saying, “It is with a strong sense of mission that I will take up the responsibility of being the next President of the European Council.”

(Inputs from ANI)