India, Jan. 20 -- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday signalled that negotiations for a long-awaited free trade agreement between India and the European Union have entered a decisive phase, saying the two sides are "on the cusp of a historic trade agreement" that could reshape global commerce and supply chains.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, von der Leyen framed the proposed deal as part of Europe's broader push for "fair trade over tariffs, partnership over isolation, and sustainability over exploitation."

She said the EU was working to de-risk its economy and diversify supply chains by strengthening ties with major global growth centres, with India playing a central role in that strategy.

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