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What is the story about?
The European Union has formally accepted India's invitation to dispatch its top leadership as chief guests at the Republic Day parade in 2026.
The Indian Express reported that the delegation is likely to include the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the President of the European Council, Antonio Costa.
However, an official announcement is awaited till the time of writing this report.
The leaders' visit is expected to coincide with the India-EU Leaders' Summit, slated for January 27 in New Delhi, as per news agency PTI. The schedule effectively establishes a deadline for both sides to finalise the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations.
Strategic invitation to strengthen ties
Inviting the EU leadership as chief guests holds symbolic value. New Delhi's decision reflects a broader diplomatic and economic strategy.
In recent months, ties between India and the 27-member EU have gained momentum, notably ever since the EU's Commissioners visited India in February this year.
Read more: EU and India aim to seal FTA by year-end as high-level Brussels talks conclude
That visit laid the groundwork for further engagement across trade, defence, technology, and people-to-people exchanges.
Calculated shift amid global uncertainty
The timing of the invitation is deliberate, according to the observers in New Delhi, as per the Indian Express.
With unpredictability reportedly emanating from the US administration, EU leaders are presenting themselves as more "predictable" and reliable partners for India, especially in advancing an ambitious and strategic roadmap.
While there remain points of friction - particularly over Russian oil imports and India's nuanced stance on the war in Ukraine - diplomatic circles contend that convergence prevails over discord.
India-EU FTA talks in final stage
The FTA discussions between India and the EU are reaching towards a final stage as both sides concluded two high-level engagements in Brussels on November 18 and 19, CNBC-TV18 reported earlier.
Both sides aim to conclude the trade discussions by this year end and finalising the agreement in January next year.
The Indian Express reported that the delegation is likely to include the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the President of the European Council, Antonio Costa.
However, an official announcement is awaited till the time of writing this report.
The leaders' visit is expected to coincide with the India-EU Leaders' Summit, slated for January 27 in New Delhi, as per news agency PTI. The schedule effectively establishes a deadline for both sides to finalise the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations.
Strategic invitation to strengthen ties
Inviting the EU leadership as chief guests holds symbolic value. New Delhi's decision reflects a broader diplomatic and economic strategy.
In recent months, ties between India and the 27-member EU have gained momentum, notably ever since the EU's Commissioners visited India in February this year.
Read more: EU and India aim to seal FTA by year-end as high-level Brussels talks conclude
That visit laid the groundwork for further engagement across trade, defence, technology, and people-to-people exchanges.
Calculated shift amid global uncertainty
The timing of the invitation is deliberate, according to the observers in New Delhi, as per the Indian Express.
With unpredictability reportedly emanating from the US administration, EU leaders are presenting themselves as more "predictable" and reliable partners for India, especially in advancing an ambitious and strategic roadmap.
While there remain points of friction - particularly over Russian oil imports and India's nuanced stance on the war in Ukraine - diplomatic circles contend that convergence prevails over discord.
India-EU FTA talks in final stage
The FTA discussions between India and the EU are reaching towards a final stage as both sides concluded two high-level engagements in Brussels on November 18 and 19, CNBC-TV18 reported earlier.
Both sides aim to conclude the trade discussions by this year end and finalising the agreement in January next year.
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