India and the European Union are set to significantly deepen their relationship this week through a series of high-level engagements, including two ministerial visits and the 13th round of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations. This diplomatic push aims to conclude the landmark trade deal by the end of the year, building on recent momentum from exchanges between top officials.

European Commissioners for Agriculture and Food, Christophe Hansen, and for Trade and Economic Security, Maroš Šefčovič, will arrive in New Delhi, aligning with the FTA talks. Progress has been steady, with 11 chapters provisionally closed, covering areas such as intellectual property, customs, digital trade, and dispute settlement. Discussions on capital movement are nearing completion, though both sides have excluded sensitive sectors like dairy, sugar, and rice from the agreement.

The FTA is part of a broader strategic alignment between India and the EU, two major economies navigating geopolitical shifts. Recent telephone talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and EU leaders reaffirmed their commitment to swift conclusion of the deal and addressed global issues, including the Ukraine conflict and the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor.

Additional engagements this week include a visit by a 30-member EU Political and Security Committee delegation and a counter-terrorism dialogue in Brussels, where India is expected to raise concerns over cross-border terrorism. Looking ahead, the EU will release a strategic vision document for India in September, followed by the 14th round of FTA talks in October and high-level visits throughout the fall.

The India-EU Trade and Technology Council, launched in 2023, will also meet this autumn, reinforcing cooperation in trade, technology, and security. The year’s diplomatic efforts are set to culminate with a visit by the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, ahead of next year’s summit, underscoring the EU’s commitment to strengthening ties with India amid global uncertainties.