India, EU aim to conclude FTA negotiations by this year: MEA after EU chief's
The delegations from India and the European Union held delegations on a range of topics in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and EU President Ursula von der Leyen, and the leaders have directed their teams to conclude the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations by this year, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Friday. Ministry of External Affairs Secretary (West) Tanmaya Lal, highlighted that 20 union cabinet ministers and Ministers of State engaged in discussions and issues ranging from trade, digital green technology, energy, environment and connectivity were discussed. The European Commission President is on a two-day bilateral visit to India, accompanied by members of the European College of Commissioners. This is Ursula von der Leyen's third visit to India. She previously visited India for a bilateral official visit in April 2022 and to attend the G20 Leaders' Summit in September 2023. The MEA Secy termed it an "unprecedented and landmark visit," on account it being the first visit of the European College of Commissioners outside of the continent.
