Modi and EU Leaders Talk Trade, Ukraine, and Future Plans

NEW DELHI, India – September 4, 2025:Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke by phone today with European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. It was an important talk to keep the India-European Union partnership moving forward. They talked about the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) and gave their thoughts on the Ukraine situation.

Boosting Business and Ties

The leaders went over the good progress made in their relationship since the EU group visited India in February. They all want to wrap up the India-EU FTA soon.

They stressed how vital it is to get the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) up and running. They see this project as key to connecting their regions and helping their economies.

Their talk covered many areas where they work together, like trade, tech, investment, new ideas, how to be sustainable, defense, security, and making sure supply chains are steady. This shows the partnership is getting closer.

Ukraine: A Shared Worry

A big part of their talk was about the situation in Ukraine. Prime Minister Modi said again that India wants a peaceful solution. He said it’s important to get things back to normal there quickly.

EU leaders were more direct in their comments. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen put out a statement on social media.

She was happy India is still talking to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. She said India can help create a path towards peace and bring Russia to end its war.

The EU president pointed out that the conflict is causing problems around the world. She said it undermines economic stability and carries global security consequences.

Von der Leyen’s statement shows where the EU stands on the conflict. It also shows they know India has a special relationship with both Ukraine and Russia.

Looking Ahead to the India-EU Summit

The leaders talked about planning the next India-EU Summit, which will be in India.

Prime Minister Modi officially asked President Costa and President von der Leyen to come. He suggested holding the summit soon, at an early, mutually convenient date.

Von der Leyen said, We plan to agree on a joint strategic agenda at the next EU–India summit, as early as possible in 2026.”

This sets a definite timeline for more cooperation. It also shows the EU really wants to team up with India on a strategic plan.

Getting the Trade Deal Done

Von der Leyen said, We also remain fully committed to concluding the Free Trade Agreement negotiations by the end of the year.”

She added, “To achieve this, progress is needed now.” This means they want to speed up the talks to meet their deadline.

The FTA is a key part of their relationship. Getting it done is expected to really help their economies and cut down on trade barriers.

A Partnership Based on Trust

India and the EU said they have a strong partnership. They said it’s grounded in trust, shared values, and a common vision for the future.

The leaders talked about how the India-EU Strategic Partnership can help them work together to fix global problems, foster stability, and promote a rules-based international order for mutual prosperity.

This shows they see their relationship as important for keeping the world stable. It puts these two big democracies on the same page when it comes to solving problems.

Staying in Touch

The three leaders ended their talk by agreeing to keep in touch. This will be important as they work toward the next summit and finalize important deals.

The call shows they’re serious about talking regularly at a high level. It follows up on earlier meetings, like the EU group’s visit to India in February.

Staying in touch is key to working through tough negotiations and coordinating their positions on big issues like the Ukraine situation.

The Strategic Partnership So Far

The India-EU Strategic Partnership started in 2004. It provides a structure for working together in many areas.

The partnership has a system with regular summits at the top. This system makes it easier to talk in detail about economic, political, and security matters.

Past summits and meetings have always aimed to deepen cooperation. This latest talk is just the next step in that ongoing process.

Why the IMEEC Matters

The India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) is a vital part of their overall plan. It was started at the 2023 G20 Summit in New Delhi.

The corridor is designed to greatly improve trade and infrastructure. It connects India to Europe through the Middle East, using railways, ports, and sea routes.

This project is about more than just money. It’s also strategic. Many see it as a response to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

India’s Position on Ukraine

India has always pushed for a diplomatic solution to the Ukraine situation. New Delhi hasn’t directly condemned Russia in international settings.

Prime Minister Modi has spoken with leaders on both sides. He’s talked to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

India’s position comes from its history with Russia and its reliance on Russian defense and energy. It has stayed strategic autonomy.”

The EU Wants India to Step In

The EU wants India to get involved in ending the conflict. EU leaders think India’s influence could help calm things down.

Von der Leyen’s statement talked about the risk to the entire world from the war. This shared worry gives them a reason to work together.

The EU wants India to do more to promote peace. This has come up a lot in recent talks.

What’s Next?

The plan for a joint strategic agenda for the 2026 summit shows they’re thinking ahead. That agenda will probably include specific goals for the FTA and IMEEC.

Both sides also agreed to stay in regular contact. This makes sure they have a direct line for talking and working things out.

These talks show that India and the EU are seeing eye-to-eye more and more on global issues. Their partnership is becoming more important in today’s world.

Whether they can finish the FTA by the end of the year will be a big test of this partnership. It will show how fast and how deeply they can connect their economies.

People around the world will be watching closely to see if the FTA is finalized and how the IMEEC progresses. These projects could reshape global trade and alliances.

The phone call shows a strong relationship. It makes it clear that India and the EU see each other as key partners.

Reported by: Herohind News Desk