Let’s finish what we started for our own benefit: EU chief on FTA

Ahead of her visit to India, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tells TOI in an interview the EU will work to uphold the rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific and reinforce defence cooperation with India. Responding to Trump’s tariff threats, she said EU will respond to any unjustified tariff.
As PM Narendra Modi hosts European Commission President

Ursula von der

Leyenthis week for talks to further deepen EU-India cooperation in trade, technology and economic security, the EU chief told TOI in an exclusive interview that the 27-member union is committed to upholding the rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific, including through security engagement.
With the EU preparing to unveil a new strategic agenda with India at the EU-India summit, which will be held later this year, the president sought stronger cooperation for a common tech agenda, advancement of FTA talks and a reinforcement of defence and security cooperation.
The EU has described

von der

Leyen’s visit to India this week as unprecedented, as this is the first time she’s leading a delegation of the entire EU College of Commissioners to the country. As both sides prepare for another round of FTA talks next month, von der Leyen said she’s convinced the agreement can be achieved if both sides commit to it, adding there are 6000 EU companies in India that have together created 8 million jobs. “So, now let’s finish what we started, for the benefit of both our economies,” she said.

And as President Trump throws the transatlantic alliance into disarray, battering friends and foes alike with tariffs, von der Leyen said there are no winners in a trade war and unjustified tariffs won’t go unanswered.
Excerpts:
1. What’s your assessment of the progress made in India-EU strategic partnership under the Roadmap to 2025 that was announced at the last summit? How can both sides work to ensure that India-EU ties act as a stabilizing influence in an increasingly uncertain and conflict-prone world?
In this era of multiplying conflicts and intense geostrategic competition, Europe wants to strengthen its partnership with India, one of its most trusted friends. This is why I am coming with all Commissioners to New Delhi, as one of the first trips of my new mandate.
There is a great, positive momentum in our relations. Together, we can drive forward trade, economic security, and resilient supply chains. Let’s also strengthen our cooperation on a common tech agenda, as well as reinforce security and defence cooperation.
2. How do you plan to take forward cooperation in key areas like trade and investment, technology, green-transition, security and in ensuring more resilient supply chains in critical sectors?
Europe has many ideas to strengthen our partnership with India, and we look forward to discussing them with the Government of India. Before the summer, we will present a new Strategic Agenda for our relations, laying the foundation for further progress at our upcoming EU-India summit.
We aim to advance discussions on a free trade agreement, expand cooperation on digital technologies, particularly AI, and accelerate our work on clean technologies like electric vehicles and green hydrogen. On security, we will deepen collaboration in cybersecurity, counterterrorism, maritime security, and even space security!
3. After 15 years of FTA talks, how hopeful are you that India and the EU can soon reach a comprehensive and mutually-beneficial agreement?
Talks on a free trade agreement were revived in 2021 and we are now preparing for a 10th round of negotiations in Brussels. There is more work to be done at technical level, but I’m convinced we can cross the finish line if we both commit to it. Europe is already India’s biggest trading partner and third-largest investor. Over the last twenty years, our trade has tripled. European businesses in India are thriving.
There are 6,000 EU companies in India. They have created 8 million direct and indirect jobs in the country. So now let’s finish what we started, for the benefit of both our economies.
4. Despite your increasing focus on a strategic agenda with India, and the shared concerns about China’s assertiveness, there’s still a sense here that Europe is more concerned about implementing the rule of law in, well, Europe than in other parts of the world, or particularly the Indo-Pacific. Do you think there’s a need for you to make your Indo-Pacific strategy more constructive and coherent to help uphold peace and security in the region?
The Indo-Pacific is vital to Europe. It is one of our largest export destinations. Beyond trade, we have a shared stake in security and in upholding the rules-based international order. That is at the core of Europe’s engagement with the Indo-Pacific. Europe is committed to being a reliable partner.
We are deepening cooperation with like-minded countries in the region to promote a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific—through diplomacy, economic resilience, and security engagement.
5. How can the EU work to ensure that the full potential of the IMEEC initiative is realised?
The India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor will connect our regions like never before—boosting trade, improving access to goods, energy, and data, and taking our economic ties to the next level.
It is a concrete example of the EU’s deep commitment to critical infrastructure worldwide, backed by our €300 billion Global Gateway strategy for sustainable investment and connectivity. Now, we focus on delivering. We’ll keep working with IMEC signatories to turn this ambitious project into reality.
6. What do you make of the fact that President Trump is threatening to unleash a trade war even against allies and partners like the EU and India?
There are no winners in a trade war. The hardest hit are inevitably workers, companies and the middle classes, on both sides. Of course, Europe remains open to dialogue and mutually beneficial agreement. But indeed, unjustified tariffs will not go unanswered. We will protect our workers, businesses and consumers at every turn.