Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a warm chat with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on his birthday, thanking her for the sweet greetings and sharing excitement about strengthening ties between India and the European Union.
In their phone conversation, PM Modi highlighted India’s eagerness to push the India-EU relationship forward. He also voiced strong support for a quick and peaceful end to the Ukraine conflict. Posting on X (formerly Twitter), Modi said, “Always a pleasure to speak to President Ursula von der Leyen. Thank you for your warm birthday greetings. Delighted to know about the New Strategic EU-India Agenda adopted today. India is ready to take the India-EU relationship to the next level. It is our shared commitment, shared goal, and shared responsibility. We remain committed to an early and peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict.”
This comes right after the EU rolled out its New Strategic EU-India Agenda, a big step to boost cooperation between the two sides. The European Commission and its High Representative unveiled this joint plan, which builds on President von der Leyen’s vision for 2024-2029. It focuses on deepening trade, investment, and talent exchange while tackling global issues like economic security, clean energy, innovation, and even defense collaboration.
President von der Leyen emphasized the timing, saying, “Now is the time to focus on reliable partners and double down on partnerships rooted in shared interests and guided by common values. With our new EU-India strategy, we are taking our relationship to the next level. Advancing trade, investment and talent mobility. Strengthening our joint economic security. Advancing the clean transition and driving innovation together. Deepening our industrial cooperation in defence. Europe is already India’s biggest trading partner, and we are committed to finalising our Free Trade Agreement by the end of the year. Europe is open for business. And we are ready to invest in our shared future with India.”
The agenda highlights five key areas where India and the EU can team up, drawing from von der Leyen’s February visit to India. It aims to create more prosperity and security for both, while addressing fresh opportunities beyond current partnerships.
PM Modi’s birthday has seen messages flooding in from world leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, former US President Donald Trump, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, all sending their best wishes.
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