New Delhi: The European Union (EU) is close to finalising a free trade agreement with India, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said.
Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, she said both sides are on the verge of concluding a “historic” trade pact, although some issues remain to be resolved.
Von der Leyen described the proposed agreement as the “mother of all deals”, noting that it would create a combined market of around two billion people and account for nearly a quarter of global GDP. She said the deal is central to the EU’s efforts to diversify trade partnerships.
The remarks come ahead of her visit to India early next week. Von der Leyen is scheduled to be the chief guest at India’s Republic Day parade on 26 January, alongside other European leaders, a visit expected to add momentum to the India-EU trade negotiations.
