“History in the Making”: India and EU Poised for “Mother of All Deals” as Top Leaders Arrive for Republic Day
NEW DELHI — Anticipation is reaching a fever pitch in the capital as India prepares to host the European Union’s top leadership for a week that diplomats are already calling historic. With the long-awaited India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) reportedly on the verge of finalisation, the stage is set for a transformation in economic relations between the two global giants.
According to Reuben Gauci, the High Commissioner of Malta to India, the upcoming visit by EU leadership is not merely ceremonial but marks the culmination of intense diplomatic efforts.
“The Mother of All Deals”
Speaking on the significance of the impending agreement, High Commissioner Gauci did not mince words. He characterised the FTA as a monumental step forward, echoing the European Commission’s leadership.
“It has to be historic, given that this is the ‘mother of all deals,’ as described by the President of the European Commission, Her Excellency Ursula von der Leyen,” Gauci stated.
The High Commissioner expressed high confidence that the deal would be finalised during this diplomatic window. “Once signed, this agreement will certainly be what we call ‘history in the making’ – and we are just about to see it happen,” he added.
A Historic Double Invite
The diplomatic calendar for the week is packed with high-stakes engagements. Breaking with tradition and signalling the immense importance Brussels places on New Delhi, two European Presidents are scheduled to arrive in India on January 24th: Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and António Costa, President of the European Council.
In a rare honour, both leaders will attend India’s Republic Day celebrations on January 26th as Chief Guests, a gesture that underscores the deepening strategic partnership between the 27-nation bloc and India.
The Summit
Following the pomp and pageantry of the Republic Day parade, the focus will shift to hard economics and geopolitics. The formal EU-India Summit is scheduled to be held in New Delhi on January 27th.
As the city prepares for the dignitaries’ arrival, the mood in diplomatic circles is palpably optimistic. If High Commissioner Gauci’s assessment holds, next week will not just be a celebration of India’s republic, but the beginning of a new economic era for Eurasia.
Key Itinerary for the EU Delegation
It is at this summit that observers expect the finalised FTA to be unveiled. Negotiations for the trade pact, which have seen various starts and stops over the last decade, appear to have finally crossed the finish line. The deal is expected to unlock massive market access for both sides, lower tariffs, and streamline investment protocols.
- January 24: Arrival of President Ursula von der Leyen and President António Costa in New Delhi.
- January 26: The EU Presidents attend the Republic Day Parade as Chief Guests.
- January 27: The EU-India Summit takes place in Delhi, with the potential signing of the FTA.