Wed Jan 22 03:15:52 UTC 2025: ## EU to Prioritize India in New Strategic Partnership
**Davos, Switzerland –** European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced at the World Economic Forum in Davos that India will be the first destination for her newly formed commission. Speaking on Tuesday, January 21st, 2025, President von der Leyen stated her intention to upgrade the strategic partnership between the European Union and India, calling it the world’s largest democracy.
President von der Leyen emphasized the EU’s commitment to fostering local industry growth in partner countries, highlighting the mutual benefits of such collaborations. She confirmed that the EU seeks cooperation with various global partners, ranging from African nations to those in the Indo-Pacific region. The visit aims to strengthen ties with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and solidify the strategic partnership.
While acknowledging the current era of intense geopolitical competition, President von der Leyen stressed the importance of maintaining global economic interconnectedness. She reiterated the EU’s commitment to the Paris Agreement on climate change and its ongoing pursuit of collaborative relationships with both long-standing allies and nations with shared interests, including a desire for mutually beneficial relations with China. President von der Leyen’s current term extends until 2029.
First Piper 