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.