European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa will be the Chief Guests at India's Republic Day Parade
on January 26. The two European leaders will share the dais with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu on Republic Day, sources told Times Now. The EU leadership has already conveyed its acceptance of the Indian invitation for the Republic Day parade as chief guests. An official announcement is awaited. The visit of the two leaders coincides with the India–EU Summit, where discussions are likely to centre on the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA). India and the European Union are likely to hold a summit on January 27, where the Free Trade Agreement will be formally signed, according to sources.
India-EU FTA in final stages
India and the EU have agreed to intensify efforts for the early conclusion of negotiations on the proposed FTA, an official statement said on Tuesday. The two sides held a dialogue to expedite the conclusion of the India-EU FTA and deepen the trade relationship, the commerce ministry said in a statement.
The progress of the negotiations was reviewed by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and the European Union's Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic on December 8 and 9.
“Of the 23 chapters under discussion, 11 have already been closed. Important chapters still under negotiation include market access for cars, steel, some aspects of services and investment and technical barriers to trade,” European Union Ambassador to India Herve Delphi said.
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Meanwhile, Goyal said negotiations for the India-EU free trade agreement are progressing, and a rough outline of the pact has been prepared. He said both sides are committed to an early conclusion of the deal.
"Ek free trade agreement ki motee-motee roop rekha taiyaar ho gayee hai (a rough outline of a free trade agreement has been prepared)," Goyal told reporters last week.
(With PTI inputs)
