EU Leaders to Visit India for 16th EU-India Summit

The President of the European Council, António Costa, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, will travel to India later this month to represent the European Union at the 16th EU–India Summit. The summit is scheduled to take place on 27 January 2026 in New Delhi.

The visit highlights the growing importance of the EU–India Strategic Partnership and reflects continued high-level political engagement between the two sides.

Summit Talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi

During their visit, Presidents Costa and von der Leyen will meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for discussions aimed at strengthening cooperation across key policy areas. The talks will focus on advancing collaboration in trade, security and defence, clean energy transition, and people-to-people ties.

The summit is expected to build on existing frameworks of cooperation while identifying opportunities for deeper engagement in areas of shared interest. Both sides have consistently underlined the need for closer coordination amid evolving global and regional challenges.

Participation in Republic Day Celebrations

As part of their visit, Presidents Costa and von der Leyen will attend India’s 77th Republic Day Parade on 26 January as guests of honour. This will be the first time that leaders of the European Union have participated in India’s Republic Day celebrations in this capacity.

Their presence at the national event is seen as a symbolic gesture underscoring the strengthening relationship between India and the European Union and the growing strategic alignment between the two partners.

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Strategic Agenda Guiding EU–India Relations

The visit follows the endorsement of a new EU–India strategic agenda by the Council of the EU in October 2025. The agenda sets out a roadmap for enhancing bilateral cooperation with a focus on prosperity and sustainability, technology and innovation, security and defence, connectivity, and global issues.

The 16th EU–India Summit is expected to serve as a key platform for reviewing progress under this agenda and reinforcing the long-term partnership between India and the European Union.