India, Feb. 6 -- India and the European Union have announced the conclusion of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), described as 'a mother of all deals', and signed a New Security and Defence Partnership. These were announced during the landmark visit of the European Union (EU) Commission and Council presidents on the eve of India's Republic Day, coinciding with the 16th India-EU Summit held the following day. Both sides signed 13 outcomes in total, covering trade, economic, and defence relations, as well as a broad range of issues spanning skilling and mobility, disaster management, clean energy, science and technology, and connectivity. They also adopted a Comprehensive Strategic Agenda, which will define ties until 2030.

This recent upturn i...