EC head Ursula von der Leyen (L) will be a chief guest at Republic Day celebrations ahead of an EU-India summit at which the two sides seek to seal a free trade pact
EC head Ursula von der Leyen (L) will be a chief guest at Republic Day celebrations ahead of an EU-India summit at which the two sides seek to seal a free trade pact
European Council president Antonio Costa arrived in India on Sunday as the EU and New Delhi seek to seal a free trade pact, capping nearly two decades of negotiations between the economic behemoths.
Costa and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen are chief guests for this year's Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi on Monday, before an EU-India summit the next day where they hope to shake hands on an accord described as the "mother of all deals".
"The summit will be an opportunity to build on the EU-India strategic partnership and further strengthen collaboration across key policy areas," the EU Council said on X.
India, the world's most populous nation, is on track to become its fourth-largest economy this year, according to International Monetary Fund projections.
The EU eyes India as an important market for the future, while New Delhi sees the European bloc as an important source of much-needed technology and investment to rapidly upscale its infrastructure and create millions of new jobs.
"The EU stands to gain the highest level of access ever granted to a trade partner in the traditionally protected Indian market," von der Leyen said on Sunday, adding that she expected exports to India to double.
"We will gain a significant competitive advantage in key industrial and agri-good sectors."
Bilateral trade in goods reached 120 billion euros ($139 billion) in 2024, an increase of nearly 90 percent over the past decade, according to EU figures, with a further 60 billion euros ($69 billion) in trade in services.
The pact would be a major win for Brussels and New Delhi as both seek to open up new markets in the face of US tariffs and Chinese export controls.
"The EU and India are moving closer together at the time when the rules-based international order is under unprecedented pressure through wars, coercion and economic fragmentation," Kaja Kallas, the EU's top diplomat, said on Wednesday.Â
However, ongoing negotiations are focusing on a few sticking points, including the impact of the EU's carbon border tax on steel exports, according to people familiar with the discussions.
New Delhi, which has relied on Moscow for key military hardware for decades, has tried to cut its dependence on Russia in recent years by diversifying imports and pushing its own domestic manufacturing base.
Europe is doing the same with regard to the United States.
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd,
racist or sexually-oriented language. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another
person will not be tolerated. Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone
or anything. Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism
that is degrading to another person. Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on
each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness
accounts, the history behind an article.
Temperatures will fall below freezing tonight across all of
Central Alabama with residual moisture on local roadways. This will
lead to the possibility of hazardous travel in some areas. Black
ice may create slick spots on some local roads...bridges and
overpasses. Please use extra caution if you have to travel.
...COLD WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO
10 AM CST MONDAY...
...COLD WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM MONDAY TO 9 AM
CST TUESDAY...
* WHAT...For the first Cold Weather Advisory, very cold wind chills
as low as 2 above expected. For the second Cold Weather Advisory,
very cold temperatures as low as 7 above expected.
* WHERE...Autauga, Bibb, Blount, Calhoun, Chambers, Cherokee,
Chilton, Clay, Cleburne, Coosa, Dallas, Elmore, Etowah, Fayette,
Greene, Hale, Jefferson, Lamar, Lee, Lowndes, Marengo, Marion,
Perry, Pickens, Randolph, Shelby, St. Clair, Sumter, Talladega,
Tallapoosa, Tuscaloosa, Walker, and Winston Counties.
* WHEN...For the first Cold Weather Advisory, from midnight tonight
to 10 AM CST Monday. For the second Cold Weather Advisory, from 9
PM Monday to 9 AM CST Tuesday.
* IMPACTS...Frostbite and hypothermia will occur if unprotected skin
is exposed to these temperatures. An extended period of
subfreezing temperatures could cause pipes to burst.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Use caution while traveling outside. Wear appropriate clothing, a
hat, and gloves.
Keep pets indoors as much as possible.
Make frequent checks on older family, friends, and neighbors. Ensure
portable heaters are used correctly. Do not use generators or grills
inside.
To prevent freezing and possible bursting of pipes they should be
wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly.
&&
...COLD WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO
10 AM CST MONDAY...
...COLD WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM MONDAY TO 9 AM
CST TUESDAY...
* WHAT...For the first Cold Weather Advisory, very cold wind chills
as low as 2 above expected. For the second Cold Weather Advisory,
very cold temperatures as low as 7 above expected.
* WHERE...Autauga, Bibb, Blount, Calhoun, Chambers, Cherokee,
Chilton, Clay, Cleburne, Coosa, Dallas, Elmore, Etowah, Fayette,
Greene, Hale, Jefferson, Lamar, Lee, Lowndes, Marengo, Marion,
Perry, Pickens, Randolph, Shelby, St. Clair, Sumter, Talladega,
Tallapoosa, Tuscaloosa, Walker, and Winston Counties.
* WHEN...For the first Cold Weather Advisory, from midnight tonight
to 10 AM CST Monday. For the second Cold Weather Advisory, from 9
PM Monday to 9 AM CST Tuesday.
* IMPACTS...Frostbite and hypothermia will occur if unprotected skin
is exposed to these temperatures. An extended period of
subfreezing temperatures could cause pipes to burst.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Use caution while traveling outside. Wear appropriate clothing, a
hat, and gloves.
Keep pets indoors as much as possible.
Make frequent checks on older family, friends, and neighbors. Ensure
portable heaters are used correctly. Do not use generators or grills
inside.
To prevent freezing and possible bursting of pipes they should be
wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly.
&&
Currently in Selma
35°
Cloudy
63° / 35°
9 PM
33°
10 PM
31°
11 PM
30°
12 AM
29°
1 AM
29°
Get Black Belt News headlines for free in your inbox every day!
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
Error! There was an error processing your request.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.