Successful India makes world stable: EU chief ahead of landmark trade deal

New Delhi,UPDATED: Jan 26, 2026 11:50 IST

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Monday said a "successful India makes the world more stable, prosperous and secure," as she attended the 77th Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi amid momentum on a landmark India–EU trade deal.

Von der Leyen, along with President of the European Council Antonio Costa, graced the parade as chief guests at Kartavya Path. President Droupadi Murmu took the salute shortly after arriving in a traditional buggy with Costa and von der Leyen, flanked by the President's bodyguards.

Sharing her thoughts on X, von der Leyen wrote: "It is the honor of a lifetime to be Chief Guests at the Republic Day celebrations. A successful India makes the world more stable, prosperous and secure. And we all benefit".

Her remarks came hours after a news agency Reuters report said India is likely to sharply cut import tariffs on cars from the European Union to 40 per cent from the current peak of 110 per cent under a proposed free trade agreement (FTA) that could be finalised as early as Tuesday.

Sources familiar with the talks said New Delhi has agreed to immediately lower duties on a limited number of EU-imported cars, provided their import price exceeds around Rs 16.3 lakh (USD 17,739), with tariffs expected to fall further to 10 per cent over time.

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