India, EU to adopt new strategic agenda, discuss defence partnership at 16th summit

In October 2025, the Council of the EU endorsed the new strategic EU-India agenda and its objective of further developing EU-India ties.

• EU and India to adopt new strategic agenda at summit in New Delhi on January 27
• Leaders to discuss security, defence, and free trade agreement negotiations
• EU presidents to attend India's 77th Republic Day as guests of honour

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The European Union and India are expected to adopt a new comprehensive strategic agenda at their summit in New Delhi on January 27, deepening cooperation across key economic, security and global policy areas.

Leaders are also expected to focus on closer security and defence collaboration, including the possible establishment of a dedicated security and defence partnership, according to a statement released by the Council of the European Union.

In October 2025, the Council of the EU endorsed the new strategic EU-India agenda and its objective of further developing EU-India ties.

The agenda aims to increase strategic cooperation between both sides in four areas --prosperity and sustainability, technology and innovation, security and defence, and connectivity and global issues.

At the 16th India-EU summit in New Delhi, the leaders will also discuss trade, in context of the ongoing negotiations on a free-trade agreement that started in 2007 (and was relaunched in 2022). Such an agreement would boost bilateral trade and investment ties and drive shared prosperity.

Separately, European Union Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič, who has arrived in New Delhi, said he was confident that India and the EU are nearing the conclusion of negotiations on the free trade agreement.

The President of the European Council, António Costa, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, will represent the EU at the 16th EU-India summit in New Delhi. The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, will host the summit.

Presidents Costa and von der Leyen will also attend India's 77th Republic Day celebrations on January 26, as guests of honour.

Leaders will also address regional and global issues, with discussions expected to focus on the importance of an effective multilateral system, a free and prosperous Indo‑Pacific region, Russia’s war against Ukraine, and the situation in the Middle East.

Presidents Costa and von der Leyen will also attend India's 77th Republic Day celebrations on January 26, as guests of honour.