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

Highlighting the need to bolster cooperation between new Delhi and Brussels in the areas of digital technology, Artificial Intelligence and defence, EU President Ursula von der Leyen termed India as a "pillar of certainty" for Europe in an "increasingly uncertain world".

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,

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

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.

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.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's visit to India was described as unprecedented and landmark. During the visit, she and Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed various topics including trade,