European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrived in New Delhi on Thursday for a two-day official visit, emphasizing that India remains a trusted friend and strategic ally for Europe.
She is accompanied by the European Union College of Commissioners, and the visit will include the second ministerial meeting of the India-EU Trade and Technology Council, along with several bilateral ministerial discussions.
On Friday, von der Leyen is set to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to explore ways to enhance the strategic partnership between India and the EU.
“Touchdown in Delhi with my team of Commissioners. In an era of conflicts and intense competition, you need trusted friends. For Europe, India is such a friend and a strategic ally. I’ll discuss with @narendramodi how to take our strategic partnership to the next level,” she shared in a post on X.
?Touchdown in Delhi with my team of Commissioners.
In an era of conflicts and intense competition, you need trusted friends.
For Europe, India is such a friend and a strategic ally.
I’ll discuss with @narendramodi how to take our strategic partnership to the next level. pic.twitter.com/I8ypHtwfy8
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) February 27, 2025
Upon her arrival, she received a warm welcome and was greeted by Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Anupriya Patel.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on X, “Elevating the – multifaceted partnership to new heights. President of the @EU_Commission @vonderleyen arrives in New Delhi for the first visit of EU College of Commissioners to India. Warmly received with a special welcome by MoS for Health & Family Welfare @AnupriyaSPatel at the airport.”
This marks von der Leyen’s third visit to India, having previously visited in April 2022 for a bilateral meeting and in September 2023 for the G20 Leaders’ Summit. She and PM Modi have also held regular discussions during various multilateral meetings.
According to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), this is the first-ever visit of the EU College of Commissioners to India as a group, and one of the earliest visits following the start of the current European Commission’s mandate in December 2024, after the European parliamentary elections in June 2024.
The statement also highlighted that India and the European Union have been strategic partners since 2004, with their relationship expanding across multiple sectors. As they enter the third decade of their partnership, the visit of von der Leyen and the EU Commissioners is expected to further strengthen bilateral ties based on shared interests and growing cooperation.
