India to Welcome High-Profile EU Visitors Amid Trade Talks and Regional Rivalries

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India is set to host a flurry of high-profile visits from European Union leaders in the coming weeks, as the country navigates its diplomatic relationships and trade agreements with the EU and other global powers. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will be the first to arrive, traveling to India from January 11 and meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Ahmedabad on January 12. Merz's visit is significant, as it marks his first trip to Asia and underscores the importance of India-Germany relations. In Bengaluru, Merz will focus on deepening cooperation in key sectors such as technology, automobiles, and green energy, where Germany has made significant investments worth €1.3 billion. The visit is seen as a key opportunity for Modi and Merz to strengthen their bilateral strategic partnership and explore areas of mutual interest, including trade, investment, technology, and innovation. Later in January, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa are expected to visit India as chief guests at the Republic Day celebrations on January 26. The visit is expected to culminate in the signing of a free trade agreement (FTA) between India and the EU, which has been under negotiation since last November. However, negotiations have been hindered by issues such as the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and Indian concerns over tariffs on carbon-intensive goods. French President Emmanuel Macron is also expected to visit India in mid-February, where he will launch the India-France Year of Innovation and attend the Artificial Intelligence Impact Summit. The visit is seen as an opportunity for Modi and Macron to strengthen their bilateral relationship and explore areas of cooperation, including defense and security. The visits come at a time when India is seeking to strengthen its relationships with key global partners, including the EU, as it navigates its position in the Indo-Pacific region. The country is also engaged in intense competition with China, and the EU is seen as a crucial partner in ensuring security and stability in the region. With the EU and India making significant progress in trade talks, the coming weeks are expected to be a crucial period in shaping their bilateral relationship.