European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday in an attempt to revive and expand economic ties. The return of Donald Trump to the White House, tensions with China and economic sanctions on Russia have prompted Brussels to push for deeper trading ties with other economies.

India and the European Union will try to seal a trade deal during this year, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Friday.

Von der Leyen said during a New Delhi visit that the bloc was considering a defense and security partnership with India. The EU is aiming to achieve a free trade agreement with New Delhi ahead of possible US tariffs.

Ursula von der Leyen, the first woman to lead the European Commission, is on a significant two-day visit to India. Her discussions with Indian officials focus on enhancing strategic partnerships and addressing key global issues,

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,

It is too early to discuss the potential lifting of European sanctions on Russia. First, Russia must demonstrate with concrete actions that it really seeks peace, stated European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during a meeting with the media following the Support Ukraine plenary session.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen experienced India's advanced UPI digital payments system during her visit. She was impressed by its efficiency. PM Modi had earlier highlighted UPI's significance by comparing daily transactions in India to the EU's population.