Wed Feb 26 12:03:00 UTC 2025: **EU Sends High-Level Delegation to India Amidst Shifting US Foreign Policy**

NEW DELHI/MADRID – In a demonstration of strengthened ties, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, along with 21 EU Commissioners, will embark on a two-day visit to India beginning February 27th, 2025. This unprecedented deployment of the College of Commissioners signifies Europe’s commitment to bolstering partnerships amidst evolving US foreign policy, particularly concerning the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

The visit, planned for months and announced in Davos in January, comes as the US, under President Donald Trump, has adopted a different stance on the conflict, diverging from the EU’s approach. This includes a recent UN vote where the US sided with Russia against an EU resolution demanding Russian troop withdrawal from Ukraine. The timing, shortly after the third anniversary of the Ukraine invasion and the imposition of a 16th round of EU sanctions on Russia, adds significance. This visit also occurs concurrently with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy’s trip to Washington to discuss a potential ceasefire proposal with President Trump.

While the EU aims to restart and strengthen EU-India relations, which have seen a lull due to the Ukraine conflict, including pushing forward on the stalled Bilateral Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA), India’s continued refusal to impose sanctions on Russia and increased oil imports from the country are unlikely to change. The delegation will engage in meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and various ministers, focusing on updating the EU-India Strategic Roadmap and exploring cooperation in areas like AI, semiconductors, quantum computing, green technology, and climate change. Despite efforts to “de-risk” from China and pivot towards India, the vast difference in trade volumes between the EU and China (739 billion Euros in 2023) and the EU and India (124 billion Euros in 2023) presents a significant challenge. The visit concludes with the Trade and Technology Council (TTC) meeting.

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