EC President Ursula von der Leyen's two-day visit from Thursday, accompanied by leaders of EU member nations, coincides with escalating geopolitical tensions

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will ask for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s assistance to enforce sanctions on Russia when the two leaders meet this week in New Delhi.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi applauds after the press statement by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, left, in New Delhi, India, Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

European Union President Ursula von der Leyen is likely to discuss preventing restricted technologies from places such as India reaching Russia in violation of sanctions when she visits the South Asian nation from Thursday,

Human Rights Watch (HRW) called on the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the College of Commissioners on Wednesday to address the Indian government's human rights

Von der Leyen said during a New Delhi visit that the bloc was considering a defense and security partnership with India. The EU is aiming to achieve a free trade agreement with New Delhi ahead of possible US tariffs.

India and the EU must take their strategic ties to the "next level" in an era of great power competition and geopolitical turmoils and the relationship has the potential to be one of the defining partnerships of this century,

The EU is seeking to diversify its partnerships in the face of possible tariffs from Washington. Talks on a free trade agreement with New Delhi are scheduled for March.

Von der Leyen is in India with 22 members of the 27-strong EU College of Commissioners for the first such visit to a non-European nation since she got a fresh mandate last year

In a significant diplomatic push, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on Friday that the European Union is exploring a Security and Defence Partnership with India—a move that could reshape India-EU relations in the years to come.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says she has agreed with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to push to conclude a free trade pact this year. Talks between the European Union and India on a deal resumed in 2021 after a break of eight years.