India’s diplomatic calendar is poised to be dominated by Europe over the next few weeks, with a series of high-profile visits from German, French, and European Union (EU) leaders, signaling New Delhi’s growing focus on strengthening ties with the continent amid shifting global trade dynamics and geopolitical competition. Sources familiar with the matter confirmed that German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Antonio Costa, and French President Emmanuel Macron are expected to travel to India in quick succession, marking a significant diplomatic push for both trade and strategic cooperation.

The visits are set against a backdrop of intense negotiations between India and the EU to finalise a long-awaited free trade agreement (FTA), while India navigates a recent downturn in relations with the United States, owing largely to the Trump administration’s trade and tariff policies. Several key European nations are also motivated to strengthen ties with India in light of their competition with China, particularly in areas of trade, technology, and regional security.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s Visit

Germany will be the first major European power to visit India this month, with Chancellor Friedrich Merz slated to arrive on January 11, marking his first trip to Asia. India will be the Chancellor’s inaugural stop on his Asian itinerary, highlighting the priority Berlin places on relations with New Delhi. During his visit, Merz will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Ahmedabad on January 12 and subsequently travel to Bengaluru, a hub for German investments in sectors including technology, automotive manufacturing, engineering, and green energy.

According to sources, Modi and Merz will discuss a broad spectrum of topics, encompassing trade, investment, technology, mobility, defence and security, innovation, and regional and global developments. The external affairs ministry confirmed that the leaders will also engage with business and industry representatives, exploring avenues to deepen bilateral cooperation and attract further German investment.

Germany’s commitment to India has been significant in recent years. Last year, Berlin announced investment pledges totaling €1.3 billion (approximately ₹13,000 crore) under the Green and Sustainable Development Partnership, including concessional loans for sustainable urban development and green urban mobility projects, such as a €340-million loan for the Metro Yellow Line in Bengaluru. The upcoming visit is expected to further reinforce Germany’s focus on green and sustainable urban infrastructure, innovation, and technological collaboration.

European Union Leaders and the India-EU FTA

Following the German Chancellor, EU leaders Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and Antonio Costa, President of the European Council, are expected to visit India around Republic Day on January 26, attending the celebrations as chief guests and meeting with Prime Minister Modi on January 27. The visit is expected to coincide with the conclusion of the India-EU FTA, which is anticipated to become India’s largest trade deal.

Negotiations on the FTA have been ongoing since November 2025, with both sides having made significant progress in recent weeks. However, certain hurdles remain, particularly around the automobile sector and the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), a tariff on carbon-intensive imports that India has repeatedly flagged as a non-tariff barrier. Both sides are reportedly working toward compromise solutions to ensure a mutually beneficial agreement.

The EU leaders’ visit is not only focused on trade but also intended to strengthen India-EU strategic cooperation, particularly on shared priorities such as climate change, technological innovation, and regional security in the Indo-Pacific. European leaders view India as a crucial partner in countering China’s assertive posture in the region and enhancing stability across key maritime and geopolitical corridors.

French President Emmanuel Macron and the India-France Innovation Agenda

French President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to visit India in mid-February to launch the India-France Year of Innovation, alongside Prime Minister Modi, and to participate in the Artificial Intelligence Impact Summit. Unlike prior visits, the main meeting between Modi and Macron is expected to be held in Mumbai on February 17, emphasizing the commercial and technological dimensions of bilateral cooperation.

In preparation for Macron’s visit, India’s external affairs minister S. Jaishankar is currently on a tour of France and Luxembourg from January 4-9, engaging with French leadership and Foreign Minister Jean Noel Barrot. Jaishankar will also address the annual French Ambassadors’ Conference as guest of honour, highlighting India’s priorities in technology, trade, and regional cooperation.

Both Germany and France have expressed strong support for the swift finalisation of the India-EU FTA and view India as a key partner for ensuring security and stability in the Indo-Pacific. Their backing underscores the strategic importance of India in European planning, particularly in light of Europe’s ongoing economic and geopolitical competition with China.

Strategic and Economic Implications

The forthcoming European visits mark a strategic pivot in India’s diplomacy, highlighting the continent as a key partner in trade, technology, and regional security. With the US-India relationship under strain due to trade and tariff issues, Europe offers India an opportunity to diversify strategic and economic partnerships while advancing multilateral cooperation on climate change, technology, and investment.

The high-level interactions are expected to generate momentum for significant projects in green energy, urban infrastructure, technology-driven innovation, and AI development, creating avenues for enhanced European investment and knowledge exchange. At the same time, the finalisation of the FTA could dramatically boost bilateral trade, reducing trade barriers, and fostering deeper integration with the EU market.

Experts note that the concentrated attention on Europe also reflects India’s broader diplomatic strategy of leveraging global multipolarity. By balancing relations between the US, EU, and other global partners, India aims to secure favorable trade deals, technology transfer, and strategic alliances while asserting itself as a key actor in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

Conclusion

In the coming weeks, Europe will occupy a central place in India’s foreign policy agenda. With high-level visits from German, French, and EU leaders, India is positioned to advance trade negotiations, attract investment, and strengthen strategic partnerships, even as global geopolitical uncertainties persist. From green energy loans and sustainable urban development to artificial intelligence and innovation, the engagement with Europe is likely to have far-reaching implications for India’s economic and strategic future, reinforcing the country’s position as a rising global power.