At a Europe Day reception in New Delhi, EU Ambassador to India Hervé Delphin described the event as a celebration of deeper ties and shared values between the European Union and India. He said the two partners are aligned on a range of global priorities and are building a consequential, forward-looking partnership based on shared prosperity and cooperation.
In a post on X, Delphin called the reception a moment to celebrate “what the EU stands for” and to underscore growing connections “from commerce to culture, from symbolism to substance.” He noted the presence of the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman alongside EU27 ambassadors and described the EU and India as natural partners.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, speaking at the Europe Day celebrations, said the 16th India–EU Summit held in New Delhi in January 2026 has given new momentum to the strategic partnership and taken the relationship to a higher level. She said summit outcomes mark a transformative phase in India–EU relations.
Sitharaman highlighted several concrete advances: the successful conclusion of negotiations for the India–EU free trade agreement (FTA), the signing of a Security and Defence Partnership, and adoption of a Comprehensive Framework on Cooperation on Mobility. She pointed to the joint roadmap adopted at the summit, “Towards 2030: India–EU a Joint Comprehensive Strategic Agenda,” as a clear and ambitious vision for cooperation in the years ahead.
Earlier, Ambassador Delphin urged that the landmark FTA include an investment liberalisation chapter and called for the swift finalisation of a separate investment protection agreement to provide stronger legal certainty for businesses.
The comments and reactions reported here were sourced from ANI coverage of the Europe Day events and related statements.
