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<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\nEuropean Union Ambassador Herve Delphin on Friday said the India-EU partnership has reached a \u201ctotally new level\u201d in both strategic and qualitative terms, describing the relationship as \u201climitless, ambitious and progressive\u201d, PTI reported. Addressing the Europe Day celebrations in the national capital, Delphin said the India-EU partnership is becoming increasingly significant for the 21st century, with both sides committed to expanding ties across multiple sectors. \u201cWe have placed our relationship to a totally new level, in qualitative and strategic terms. The EU-India partnership is limitless, ambitious and progressive,\u201d Delphin said. \u201cThese achievements would not have been possible without the political conviction and trust shared by our leaders,\u201d he added. The envoy described the India-EU summit held around three-and-a-half months ago as a major milestone, saying it combined symbolism, substance and strategic significance. He cited the unveiling of a joint strategic agenda for the next five years, progress on a free trade agreement (FTA), the signing of a security and defence partnership pact, and movement on a mobility framework as key outcomes of the summit. \u201cThe India-EU partnership is truly consequential for the 21st century,\u201d Delphin said. Calling the current phase the \u201cEurope-India moment\u201d, the ambassador said ties between India and the EU and its member states were deepening \u201clike never before\u201d. The event was attended by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, diplomats, academicians and foreign policy experts. The envoy also referred to the participation of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa as chief guests at India\u2019s Republic Day celebrations earlier this year. The proposed India-EU free trade agreement has often been described as the \u201cmother of all\u201d trade deals. \u201cWe are already India’s leading trading partner. With the FTA in place, we expect our two-way trade to double in value in the next years,\u201d Delphin said. Referring to a recent report titled \u201cEU business economic footprint in India\u201d, he said nearly 6,000 EU companies operate in India, generating close to six million jobs and exporting nearly 25 billion euros worth of goods from India globally. The EU remains India\u2019s largest trading partner in goods. During 2024-25, bilateral goods trade stood at around $136 billion, including Indian exports worth about $76 billion and imports worth $60 billion. Delphin also spoke about the Russia-Ukraine conflict and said Prime Minister Narendra Modi\u2019s \u201cnot an era of war\u201d message strongly resonated with Europe. \u201cThis message of (PM Modi) — \u2018not an era of war\u2019 deeply resonates with Europe\u2019s values and identity,\u201d he said. \u201cThe EU is fundamentally a peace project, turning the back on centuries of continental wars,\u201d he added.<\/div>\n