New Delhi, Jan 24 (NationPress) The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has touched down in India on a State Visit. During this significant occasion, she will join European Council President Antonio Luis Santos da Costa to attend India's 77th Republic Day celebrations as the Chief Guest, marking an important chapter in India–EU relations.

Upon her arrival, she was welcomed by Jitin Prasada, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry as well as Electronics and Information Technology.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) shared on X, "Charting the next phase of the India–EU Strategic partnership. A warm welcome to Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, during her State Visit to India. As two of the world’s largest democracies, India and the EU share a partnership built on mutual trust and shared values."

Earlier that day, Kaja Kallas, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, also arrived in New Delhi for her inaugural official visit, which the MEA labeled as timely for bolstering the India–EU Strategic Partnership amid ongoing high-level interactions between the two entities.

The MEA remarked, "A warm welcome to EU HRVP Kaja Kallas on her first official visit to India. This visit comes at an ideal time to further strengthen the India–EU Strategic Partnership, building on the momentum of regular high-level engagements."

This visit by the European leaders occurs against a backdrop of heightened diplomatic exchanges between India and the European Union, both of which are eager to enhance cooperation amidst global volatility and geopolitical challenges.

On Thursday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar engaged with Ambassadors from EU member states in New Delhi, focusing on the current global scenario characterized by instability and rapidly evolving dynamics.

“It was a pleasure to engage with the Ambassadors from EU nations today. We discussed the ongoing state of the world, where volatility and instability have become the new normal,” Jaishankar tweeted post-meeting.

He emphasized the need for closer India–EU cooperation, pointing out areas where their partnership could contribute to global stability. He noted that enhanced ties would assist in "derisking the global economy" through collaboration on resilient supply chains, providing public goods such as Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), anti-piracy efforts, and development initiatives, along with stabilizing the global order through improved trade, mobility, and security agreements.

The discussions with EU ambassadors served as a prelude to the upcoming State Visit by President Antonio Luis Santos da Costa and Ursula von der Leyen. Jaishankar expressed enthusiasm for hosting the EU leaders, who are visiting at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They are also set to co-chair the 16th India–EU Summit on January 27.

During their engagements, the EU leaders will meet with President Droupadi Murmu and engage in both restricted and delegation-level discussions with Prime Minister Modi. An India–EU Business Forum is also anticipated on the summit's sidelines, underscoring the significance both parties place on economic collaboration and trade.

According to the MEA, these high-level visits and diplomatic interactions highlight the increasing strategic relevance of the India–EU partnership amidst prevailing global uncertainties and common challenges.