INDIA and the European Union have agreed to finalise a long-pending free trade agreement this year and boost co-operation in trade, technology, connectivity and defence, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the European Commission chief said today.

Mr Modi said after meeting European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen that the two sides have directed their teams to conclude the bilateral free trade deal by the end of this year. 

Modi said many decisions were taken to “elevate and accelerate India-EU partnership” in the meeting.

The European Commission chief said that the “free trade agreement between the EU and India would be the largest deal of this kind anywhere in the world.”

Brussels is ramping up efforts to seal a deal with New Delhi in the face of potential US tariffs. 

US President Donald Trump has said he is planning to hit goods made in the EU with tariffs of 25 per cent.

Ms von der Leyen was in India on a two-day visit from yesterday.