11-Member European Parliament Delegation Begins Visit to India

A 11‑member delegation from the European Parliament, led by Ms. Angelika Niebler, Chair of the Delegation for relations with India (D‑IN), has begun their visit to India as part of the 16th EU–India Inter‑Parliamentary Meeting scheduled in New Delhi and Bengaluru.

On day one in New Delhi, the delegation held discussions with Lok Sabha Speaker Mr. Om Birla, External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar and Commerce and Industry Minister Mr. Piyush Goyal, with a strong focus on the India–EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA), parliamentary exchanges and the broader strategic partnership.

Parliamentary engagement in New Delhi

According to social‑media updates cited by Indian parliamentary and government channels, Mr. Om Birla met Ms. Niebler and other Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) at Parliament House, in the first meeting of the India–European Parliament Parliamentary Friendship Group with the visiting delegation.

His post on X recorded that the discussions highlighted the strength of the India–EU strategic partnership and the importance of shared democratic values, while expressing optimism about further deepening parliamentary ties and people‑to‑people contacts.

The EU Delegation in India (@EU_in_India) framed the visit as part of efforts to “bring our strategic partnership with India to life”, noting that MEPs from the D‑IN would travel to New Delhi and then Bengaluru for the inter‑parliamentary programme.

Focus on India–EU FTA and economic ties

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Mr. Piyush Goyal met the delegation to discuss the early implementation of the India–EU FTA, whose negotiations were concluded in January 2026. In a post quoted by DD News, he said he was “delighted” to meet the delegation and noted that “India‑EU ties continue to strengthen, marked by growing dynamism and expanding cooperation across key sectors including trade, technology, green energy, connectivity, defence, space, mobility, education, and people‑to‑people exchanges.” Mr. Goyal described the FTA as “a defining milestone in our partnership, poised to unlock new opportunities for businesses, MSMEs, and skilled professionals on both sides,” adding that both sides had discussed pathways for its early implementation.

Strategic and foreign‑policy dialogue

External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar separately met the visiting MEPs, stating on X that he was “pleased to interact with Members of European Parliament, led by Ms. Angelika Niebler, here in Delhi,” where they “discussed the new chapter in India‑EU ties, and the growing convergence between us.”

He underlined that “as the agenda of cooperation expands, so too will be the levels of comfort” and expressed confidence that “the European Parliament will be a pillar of support in this new era,” signalling India’s expectation of parliamentary backing as the FTA moves to ratification stages in Europe.

European Parliament’s perspective on the FTA

Speaking to Indian media during the visit, Niebler reiterated that the European Parliament will “carefully scrutinise” the India–EU FTA as part of its approval process, while expressing a broadly positive outlook on the agreement.

She noted that members of the delegation are “very positive” about the FTA and characterised India as “one of our trustworthy partners” at a time when the EU is seeking reliable partners amid global geopolitical tensions. In comments her comments to publications, she described India as a “reliable, trustworthy partner” and linked the FTA to what she called an “EU–India moment” for deepening economic and political co‑operation.

Next steps in the inter‑parliamentary programme

According to the European Parliament’s official schedule, the visit forms part of the 16th EU–India Inter‑Parliamentary Meeting taking place from 30 March to 1 April 2026 in New Delhi and Bengaluru, under the framework of the Joint India–EU Comprehensive Strategic Agenda endorsed at the January 2026 summit.

Day one in New Delhi has therefore centred on consolidating parliamentary dialogue and outlining expectations for the FTA and wider strategic partnership, ahead of further engagements planned in the programme.