By the end of the year, the European Commission intends to complete a free trade agreement with India. The EU also aims to bolster cooperation with Delhi in the fields of technology, defence, and security,

Its their first commitment to a deadline on talks that have been going for years, as they look to soften the effect of tariff increases from the US.

India and the European Union have agreed to finalize a long-pending free trade agreement this year and boost cooperation in trade, technology, connectivity and defense.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Friday the European Union and India will work to finalize a free-trade agreement in 2025.

By Manoj Kumar and Shivangi Acharya NEW DELHI (Reuters) -Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the European Union have agreed to push for the conclusion of a free trade pact this year, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Friday.

The head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen said EU and India were pushing to get a free trade agreement during this year. "I am well aware it will not be easy. But I also know that timing and determination counts," von der Leyen said in Delhi, adding that such an agreement would be the largest deal of this kind anywhere in the world.

India will finalise a "mutually beneficial" free trade deal with the European Union by the end of this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Friday after meeting with EU chief Ursula von der Leyen.

After meeting European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in New Delhi, the Indian leader said that the two sides have directed their teams to conclude the bilateral free trade deal by end of this year. Mr Modi said many decisions were taken to “elevate and accelerate India-EU partnership” in the meeting.

Analysts say global uncertainties and President Trump’s looming tariff threats are pushing countries to diversify partnerships