EU Ambassador Hervé Delfin on Friday said the India-EU partnership has reached a “completely new level” both strategically and qualitatively, describing the relationship as “boundless, ambitious and progressive”. Addressing the Europe Day celebrations in the national capital, Delphin said the India-EU partnership is becoming increasingly important for the 21st century, with both sides committed to expanding ties in a number of areas. “We have raised our relationship to a completely new level, both qualitatively and strategically. The EU-India partnership is limitless, ambitious and progressive,” said Delfin. “These achievements would not have been possible without the political conviction and faith of our leaders,” he said. The envoy described the India-EU summit held about three and a half months ago as a major milestone and said it holds symbolism, substance and strategic importance. He cited the unveiling of a joint strategic agenda for the next five years, progress on free trade agreements (FTAs), the signing of the Security and Defense Partnership Agreement and movement on the mobility framework as key outcomes of the summit. “The India-EU partnership is truly vital for the 21st century,” said Delfin. Calling the current phase the “Europe-India moment”, the Ambassador said that relations between India and the EU and its member states are deepening “like never before”. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, diplomats, academicians and foreign policy experts attended the event. The envoy also noted the participation of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa as chief guests at India’s Republic Day celebrations earlier this year. The proposed India-EU Free Trade Agreement has often been described as the “mother of all” trade deals. “We are already India’s leading trading partner. With the FTA coming into force, we expect the value of our two-way trade to double in the next years,” said Delfin. Referring to a recent report titled “EU Trade Economic Footprint in India”, he said around 6,000 EU companies operate in India, generating around 60 lakh jobs and exporting goods worth around 25 billion euros from India globally. The European Union remains India’s largest trading partner in goods. During 2024-25, bilateral goods trade is estimated to be around $136 billion, which includes Indian exports of around $76 billion and imports of $60 billion. Delfin also spoke about the Russia-Ukraine conflict and said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “no era of war” message resonated strongly in Europe. “This message (of PM Modi) – ‘Not an era of war’ – deeply resonates with Europe’s values and identity,” he said. “The EU is fundamentally a peace project, leaving behind centuries of continental wars,” he said.