Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, today directed their teams that the India-EU Free Trade Agreement should be concluded within the year. Briefing the media in New Delhi this afternoon, Secretary (West) Tanmaya Lal termed it an important outcome of the discussions held between the two leaders in New Delhi earlier today. He said negotiations had been ongoing on this aspect. He also mentioned that there has been very clear progress on the different working groups under the Trade and Technology Council.

Mr. Lal said there has been progress in the implementation of the MoU on semiconductors, from boosting supply chains to facilitating talent exchange and skilling. There is also a deepening collaboration between the India AI Mission and the European AI Office. On Clean and Green Energy, joint funding of 60 million euros has been announced for research projects. The secretary (West) said an India-EU Green Hydrogen Forum will be held, and an India-EU Business Summit on Offshore Wind Energy is also planned.