Its their first commitment to a deadline on talks that have been going for years, as they look to soften the effect of tariff increases from the US.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Friday said the EU and India have agreed to push to get a long-pending free trade agreement done this year and that the two sides will strengthen their partnership in the areas of trade,

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Friday the European Union and India will work to finalize a free-trade agreement in 2025.

The head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen said EU and India were pushing to get a free trade agreement during this year. "I am well aware it will not be easy. But I also know that timing and determination counts," von der Leyen said in Delhi, adding that such an agreement would be the largest deal of this kind anywhere in the world.

India will finalise a "mutually beneficial" free trade deal with the European Union by the end of this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Friday after meeting with EU chief Ursula von der Leyen.

After meeting European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in New Delhi, the Indian leader said that the two sides have directed their teams to conclude the bilateral free trade deal by end of this year. Mr Modi said many decisions were taken to “elevate and accelerate India-EU partnership” in the meeting.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Friday agreed to seal a much-awaited free trade deal by this year and boost technology and defence cooperation --

Security and defence cooperation was among the three focus areas for Von der Leyen’s visit, the others being trade and investment and connectivity initiatives