The statement made by António Costa, the President of the European Council, on 27 January 2026.
Thank you dear Prime Minister Modi, for welcoming us on this special occasion. We were privileged yesterday to be your Chief Guests for the Republic Day celebrations, such an impressive display of India’s capabilities and diversity.
Today is a historic moment. We are opening a new chapter in our relations – on trade, on security, on people to people ties.
I am the President of the European Council but I am also an overseas Indian citizen. Then, as you can imagine, for me, it has a special meaning. I am very proud of my roots in Goa, where my father’s family came from. The connection between Europe and India is something personal to me. Also because we conclude today our trade negotiations we relaunched at the Leaders’ meeting that I had the pleasure to host, in May 2021, in my previous capacity.
Our summit sends a clear message to the world: at a time when the global order is being fundamentally reshaped, the European Union and India stand together as strategic and reliable partners.
Today, we are taking our partnership to the next level. As the two largest democracies in the world, we are working hand in hand:
- to deliver concrete benefits for our citizens; and
- to shape a resilient global order that underpins peace and stability, economic growth, and sustainable development.
I would like to share three messages.
First: the European Union and India must work together towards our shared prosperity and security. India is the world’s fastest-growing major economy.
Trade has flowed between our two continents for centuries. Trade is a crucial geopolitical stabiliser. And a fundamental source of economic growth. Trade agreements reinforce rules-based economic order and promote shared prosperity.
That’s why today’s Free Trade Agreement is of historic importance. One of the most ambitious agreements ever concluded. Creating a market of two billion people. In a multipolar world, the European Union and India are working together to grow spheres of shared prosperity.
But prosperity does not exist without security:
- strengthening our cooperation to better protect our citizens and our shared interests;
- working together to counter the full range of security threats we face, in the Indo-Pacific, in Europe and around the world;
- reaching a new level of strategic trust between us.
That is the significance of our agreement on a Security and Defence Partnership. The first such overarching defence and security framework between India and the European Union. And the first step towards even more ambitious cooperation in the future.
This brings me to my second message: as the world’s largest democracies and champions of multilateralism, the European Union and India share the responsibility of upholding international law, with the United Nations Charter at its core.
Earlier this morning, we had the opportunity to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. And I reflected upon his words which still hold true today: “Peace will not come out of a clash of arms but out of justice lived and done by unarmed nations in the face of odds.”
Our summit reaffirmed our commitment to supporting efforts towards a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine. One that fully respects Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
This is a key moment. We are supporting all efforts to reach a just and sustainable peace. Ukraine has shown its readiness, including at the cost of difficult compromises. I know, dear Prime Minister, that we can count on you to help create the conditions for peace, through dialogue and diplomacy.
And this is my final message: together we must show leadership on global issues. Cooperation between the European Union and India will help shape a more balanced, resilient, and inclusive global order.
Just two examples: I am proud of the commitments we are making for greater cooperation on clean energy, green transition, and climate resilience. And our collaboration through the Global Gateway and on the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor is decisive for global connectivity.
By implementing the ambitious Joint Comprehensive Strategic Agenda towards 2030, we will align our priorities with concrete actions for the next five years: delivering real benefits to our citizens.
Today, we have tangible progress and set an example of cooperative leadership on global issues. With:
- our Free Trade Agreement;
- our Security and Defence Partnership; and
- our Joint Strategic Agenda for 2030.
These outcomes are a crucial milestone on a longer path. We look forward to continuing the journey. Together, as always.
Thank you very much.