Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed President António Luís Santos da Costa, delegates from both countries, and members of the media, calling the visit an extraordinary and historic moment. He said this occasion marks a decisive new chapter in relations between two of the world’s largest democratic powers. Over the past few years, ties between India and Europe have strengthened significantly, reflected in growing cooperation across multiple sectors. Prime Minister Modi highlighted that trade between India and Europe has reached nearly 180 billion euros, while more than 800,000 Indians are currently living in Europe, contributing to economic and cultural exchange. Building on these achievements, several important decisions were taken at the summit with the aim of ensuring benefits reach all sections of society. He described the conclusion of India’s largest-ever Free Trade Agreement as historic. The agreement is expected to make access to European markets easier for Indian farmers and small industries, create new opportunities in manufacturing, and strengthen cooperation in the services sector. The agreement will also boost investments between India and Europe, promote innovation partnerships, and strengthen global supply chains. Additionally, Prime Minister Modi said the agreement would open new opportunities for students, researchers, and professors, further deepening people-to-people and academic ties between India and Europe.


