Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi recently addressed the India–European Union Business Forum at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, describing the current phase as a new era of alignment in India-EU relations. He noted that the presence of EU leaders as Chief Guests at India’s Republic Day and the conclusion of the largest Free Trade Agreement in India’s history reflect unprecedented strategic convergence between the two democratic partners.

Highlighting economic ties, the Prime Minister said bilateral trade has doubled over the past decade to 180 billion euros, with EU investments in India exceeding 120 billion euros and over 6,000 European companies operating in the country. Indian investments in the EU have reached nearly 40 billion euros, with around 1,500 Indian companies present across the region.

The Prime Minister emphasised that the comprehensive FTA will improve market access for India’s labour-intensive products, including textiles, gems and jewellery, auto components and engineering goods, while creating new opportunities for agri, marine and services sectors. He called for a whole-of-society partnership and urged businesses on both sides to deepen collaboration in trusted supply chains, defence, frontier technologies, clean energy and sustainable infrastructure, positioning India and the EU as a double engine of global growth.