Finance
EU nears historic trade deal with India, von der Leyen says
Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on January 20, 2026
1 min readLast updated: January 20, 2026
Quick Summary
The EU is nearing a historic trade deal with India, impacting 2 billion people and a quarter of global GDP, as announced by Ursula von der Leyen at Davos.
EU nears historic trade deal with India, von der Leyen
Overview of the EU-India Trade Agreement
DAVOS, Jan 20 (Reuters) - The European Union is on the verge of concluding a free trade agreement with India, although work remains to get it over the line, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Tuesday.
Significance of the Deal
"There is still work to do. But we are on the cusp of a historic trade agreement. Some call it the mother of all deals. One that would create a market of 2 billion people, accounting for almost a quarter of global GDP," she said in a section of her speech on EU efforts to diversify its trade.
Upcoming Visit by Ursula von der Leyen
Von der Leyen is expected to visit India early next week.
(Reporting by Philip Blenkinsop and Bart Meijer)
Key Takeaways
- •The EU is close to a free trade agreement with India.
- •The deal could impact 2 billion people globally.
- •It accounts for nearly a quarter of global GDP.
- •Ursula von der Leyen announced this at Davos.
- •Von der Leyen will visit India next week.
Frequently Asked Questions about EU nears historic trade deal with India, von der Leyen says
1What is the European Commission?
The European Commission is the executive branch of the European Union responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, and managing the EU's day-to-day operations.
