What did Modi, EU leaders discuss?: Ending Ukraine war, sealing FTA deal by Dec

India’s key role in leading efforts to end the war in Ukraine and an early conclusion of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and implementation of the IMEEC corridor were the prominent highlights of the talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Union leaders on Thursday (September 4).

In a joint phone call with Modi, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa reportedly stressed India’s instrumental role in ending the war in Ukraine.

Also read: Free trade pact between India, European nations bloc EFTA to come into force Oct 1

Modi too reiterated India's consistent support for peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict and early restoration of peace and stability.

Free trade deal by Dec

The leaders also underlined the role of the India-EU strategic partnership in jointly addressing global issues, fostering stability, and promoting a rules-based order for mutual prosperity, an Indian readout said.

During the chat, India and the European Union pledged to seal their much-awaited free trade deal by December, with Modi and the two European leaders pledging to promote a rules-based global order, amid Washington's disruptive trade policies.

India-EU summit

The phone call among the three leaders came as India looks to blunt the impact of the Trump administration's 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods.

The three leaders also discussed holding the next India-EU summit in India at an early date of mutual convenience, and Modi invited Costa and von der Leyen for the same.

Also read: Jaishankar seeks stronger India-EU, India-Germany trade ties amid Trump tariff row

In a social media post, Modi described the conversation as "very good".

"Reaffirmed our shared commitment for an early conclusion of the India-EU FTA and implementation of the IMEEC corridor. Exchanged views on issues of mutual interest and efforts for bringing an early end to the conflict in Ukraine. We agreed that our Strategic Partnership has a key role to play in fostering stability and promoting a rules-based order," he said.

EU praises India’s engagement with Ukraine

On the Ukraine conflict, von der Leyen said India has an important role to play in bringing Russia to end "its war of aggression and helping create a path towards peace". The European Commission president welcomed India's continued engagement with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

"This war carries global security consequences and undermines economic stability. So it is a risk to the entire world," she said on 'X'.

The phone call, largely focusing on India-EU free trade deal and the summit, came days before EU trade commissioner Maros Sefcovic's planned trip to New Delhi amid reports of both sides making significant headway towards finalising the trade pact.

India-EU FTA deal

India and the EU relaunched the negotiations for the free trade agreement in June 2022 after a gap of over eight years.

"As the world's largest democratic forces, India and EU share a strong and close relationship built on trust, shared values, and a common vision for the future," the Indian readout said.

Also read: India-EU to firm up free trade deal by this year: Ursula von der Leyen

It said Modi, Costa, and von der Leyen also welcomed progress in bilateral relations in key sectors such as trade, technology, investment, innovation, sustainability, defence, security, and supply chain resilience, and reaffirmed the shared commitment for an early conclusion of the India-EU FTA negotiations and implementation of the IMEEC (India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor).

IMEEC initiative

"Looking ahead, we plan to agree on a joint strategic agenda at the next EU-“India summit, as early as possible in 2026. We also remain fully committed to concluding the Free Trade Agreement negotiations by the end of the year. To achieve this, progress is needed now," von der Leyen said.

The Indian readout said the leaders also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, including the efforts to bring an end to the conflict in Ukraine.

Also read: Putin praises India's efforts for peace in Ukraine, slams West at SCO Summit

"Prime Minister Modi reiterated India's consistent support for peaceful resolution of the conflict and early restoration of peace and stability. The leaders agreed to remain in touch," it said.

The IMEEC initiative was firmed up on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Delhi in 2023.

Billed as a pathbreaking initiative, it envisages a vast road, railroad, and shipping networks among Saudi Arabia, India, the United States, and Europe with an aim to ensure integration among Asia, Middle East and West.