Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to travel to Brussels on 17–18 December for the final European Council meeting of the year, where India and the European Union hope to formally sign their long‑negotiated free trade agreement (FTA), according to a report by Politico. While the visit has not yet been officially confirmed, officials on both sides say they are “working on it,” and the trip could become a key moment in India‑EU economic relations.
The proposed visit comes after India and the EU concluded negotiations on the FTA earlier this year, alongside a security and defence partnership signed in January. The trade agreement, once signed, would open markets covering around 2 billion people and economies accounting for more than one‑fifth of global GDP. However, the pact still requires formal backing from EU member states, and the signing would be the final step before the deal moves toward full ratification.
Officials say Modi’s presence in Brussels could provide the political momentum needed to push the agreement across the finish line. The EU has been seeking deeper engagement with India as part of its broader strategy to diversify supply chains and strengthen ties with major Indo‑Pacific partners. For India, the FTA promises expanded access to European markets, greater investment flows and stronger cooperation in areas such as digital trade, green technologies and manufacturing.
Plans for the visit remain fluid, and sources caution that schedules could still change. But if confirmed, the December summit may become a landmark moment in India‑EU relations.