Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Friday issued directions to conclude an ambitious free trade agreement by end of this year as the two leaders vowed to expand India-EU strategic partnership in areas of defence, security and critical technology. 

In his media statement after talks with Von der Leyen, Modi described the India-EU strategic partnership as “natural and organic” and one that it is based on “trust” and shared belief in democratic values. “We have directed our teams to conclude a mutually beneficial bilateral free trade pact by the end of this year”, he said.