Von der Leyen said during a New Delhi visit that the bloc was considering a defense and security partnership with India. The EU is aiming to achieve a free trade agreement with New Delhi ahead of possible US tariffs.

Von der Leyen, accompanied by the EU College of Commissioners or senior political leaders of the bloc, began a high-profile two-day visit to India on Thursday.

Von der Leyen is in India with 22 members of the 27-strong EU College of Commissioners for the first such visit to a non-European nation since she got a fresh mandate last year

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held talks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, focusing on imparting fresh momentum to the India-European Union (EU) strategic partnership.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday welcomed the the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen as she arrived at the Hyderabad House in the national capital for bilateral talks.The President of the 27-nation bloc is on a two-day bilateral visit to India,

The agenda of the high-level talks will include trade, global cooperation, India -EU Trade Agreement, climate change initiatives, defence ties, security and digital transformation.

By Manoj Kumar and Shivangi Acharya NEW DELHI (Reuters) -Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the European Union have agreed to push for the conclusion of a free trade pact this year, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Friday.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday in an attempt to revive and expand economic ties. The return of Donald Trump to the White House, tensions with China and economic sanctions on Russia have prompted Brussels to push for deeper trading ties with other economies.

NEW DELHI (Reuters) -Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the European Union have agreed to push for the conclusion of a free trade agreement this year, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Friday.