Prime Minister's Statement prior to his departure for Nepal

Your Excellencies,
President Antonio Costa and President Ursula von der Leyen,
Delegates from both countries,
Friends from the media,

Namaskar!

It gives me great pleasure to welcome my two close friends, President Costa and President von der Leyen, on this historic visit to India.

President Costa is widely admired for his simple way of life and deep commitment to society, earning him the affectionate title of the "Gandhi of Lisbon.” President Ursula von der Leyen is a source of inspiration worldwide - not only as Germany’s first woman Defence Minister, but also as the first woman President of the European Commission.

Yesterday marked a historic moment, as for the first time, leaders of the European Union participated in India’s Republic Day celebrations as Chief Guests. Today presents yet another historic occasion, as two of the world’s largest democratic powers come together to add a defining chapter to their relationship.

Friends,

In recent years, relations between India and the European Union have witnessed remarkable progress. Our partnership, based on shared democratic values, economic synergy, and strong people-to-people ties, is reaching new heights. Today, we have trade worth 180 billion euros. More than 800,000 Indians are living and actively contributing to the countries of the European Union.

We have established new dimensions of cooperation in every sector, from strategic technologies to clean energy, from digital governance to development partnerships. Building on these achievements, at today's summit, we have taken several decisions that will benefit all sections of society.

Friends,

Today, India has concluded the largest Free Trade Agreement in its history. It is a happy coincidence that on the 27th day of the month, India is entering into this FTA with the 27 Member States of the European Union. This historic agreement will facilitate easier access for our farmers and small enterprises to European markets, create new opportunities in manufacturing, and further strengthen cooperation across our services sectors.

Moreover, this FTA will boost investment between India and the European Union, foster new innovation partnerships, and strengthen supply chains at the global level. In other words, this is not merely a trade agreement; it is a new blueprint for shared prosperity.

Friends,

Alongside this ambitious FTA, we are also creating a new framework for mobility. This will open up new opportunities in the European Union for Indian students, workers, and professionals. We have a long-standing and extensive cooperation in science and technology. Today, we have decided to further strengthen these important linkages.

Friends,

Defence and security are a foundation for any strong partnership. Today, we are making this official through a Security and Defence Partnership. This will help us work more closely on counter-terrorism, maritime security, and cybersecurity.

This will also strengthen our shared commitment to a rules-based international order. Our cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region will grow, and our defence companies will gain new opportunities to work together on co-development and co-production.

Friends,

Based on today's achievements, we are launching an even more ambitious and holistic strategic agenda for the next five years. In a complex global environment, this agenda will provide clear direction, advance our shared prosperity, accelerate innovation, strengthen security cooperation, and deepen people-to-people ties.

Friends,

Cooperation between India and the European Union constitutes a "Partnership for the Global Good.” We will expand trilateral projects from the Indo-Pacific to the Caribbean, thereby providing tangible support for sustainable agriculture, clean energy, and women’s empowerment. Together, we will work to establish the IMEC Corridor as a key pillar of global trade and sustainable development.

Friends,

Today, the global order is undergoing profound turbulence. In this context, the partnership between India and the European Union will strengthen stability within the international system. Against this backdrop, we held detailed discussions today on several global issues, including Ukraine, West Asia, and the Indo-Pacific. Respect for multilateralism and international norms remains a shared priority. We are united in our view that reform of global institutions is essential to address the challenges of our time.

Friends,

In the course of relations among nations, there are moments when history itself declares that this is where the direction changed, that this is where a new era began. Today’s historic Summit between India and the European Union represents such a moment.

I once again extend my heartfelt appreciation to President Costa and President von der Leyen for this extraordinary journey, for your friendship toward India, and for your commitment to our shared future.

कल एक ऐतिहासिक क्षण था, जब पहली बार European Union के leaders, भारत के गणतंत्र दिवस समारोह में मुख्य अतिथि के रूप में शामिल हुए।

आज, एक और ऐतिहासिक अवसर है, जब विश्व की दो सबसे बड़ी लोकतांत्रिक शक्तियाँ अपने संबंधों में एक निर्णायक अध्याय जोड़ रही हैं: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) January 27, 2026

पिछले कुछ वर्षों में भारत और European Union के संबंधों में उल्लेखनीय प्रगति हुई है।

साझा लोकतांत्रिक मूल्यों, आर्थिक synergy और मजबूत people-to-people ties के आधार पर हमारी साझेदारी नई ऊँचाइयों तक पहुँच रही है: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) January 27, 2026

आज भारत ने अपने इतिहास का अब तक का सबसे बड़ा Free Trade Agreement संपन्न किया है।

आज 27 तारीख है और ये सुखद संयोग है कि आज ही के दिन, European Union के 27 देशों के साथ भारत ये FTA कर रहा है: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) January 27, 2026

यह सिर्फ trade agreement नहीं है।

यह साझा समृद्धि का नया blueprint है: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) January 27, 2026

भारत और European Union का सहयोग एक partnership for global good है: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) January 27, 2026

Multilateralism और international norms का सम्मान हमारी साझा प्राथमिकता है।

हम एकमत हैं कि आज के challenges का समाधान करने के लिए, global institutions का reform अनिवार्य है: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) January 27, 2026