India-EU trade deal: Why Brussels is rushing to make new friends in the East

The India-European Union (EU) summit begins in New Delhi on Tuesday, with both sides expecting to ink a trade deal that has been in the works for over 19 years. Setting the tone for the meeting last week, the EU’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas described India as “indispensable” for Europe’s resilience.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa were the chief guests at India’s Republic Day parade on Monday, hinting at the South Asian nation’s diplomatic priorities for the year.

The EU leaders are seen to be going all out for an agreement, pitching a pact in the works as the “mother of all deals.” Reading between the lines, there seems to be camouflaged urgency on the part of Brussels to somehow reach a deal with New Delhi.