European leaders are currently engaged in crucial diplomatic efforts in New Delhi, aiming to finalize a landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India, the world's fastest-growing major economy. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa traveled to India alongside European Commissioner for Trade Maroš Šefčovič and foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, with an expected signing as early as Tuesday. Nicknamed "The Mother of All Deals" by Von der Leyen, this agreement is poised to liberalize billions of euros in trade and open up a market of 1.4 billion people to EU companies.

The comprehensive trade deal is designed to cut tariffs on European goods such as cars, wine, and spirits, while also expanding market access for Indian electronics, textiles, and chemicals. Commissioner Šefčovič highlighted the strategic importance of the deal, describing it as the "largest ever" in terms of market size and a vital opportunity to bolster economic resilience against global instability. He noted that India currently imposes tariffs as high as 150% in some sectors, which have effectively closed off a significant part of its economy to European exporters. This agreement aims to re-open these markets, build integrated global supply chains, and serve as an "insurance" policy against global trade turmoil, a pact that has been over a decade in the making.

Ireland's Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne, expressed strong support for the trade agreement, emphasizing its importance for both Europe and Ireland. Byrne underscored Ireland's commitment to trade diversification and opening up as many markets as possible, noting the country has "benefited hugely from international trade over the years." The deal also comes as the EU seeks to derisk its trade relationships, particularly from potential disruptions stemming from the Trump administration's policies in America.

In parallel, the ongoing war in Ukraine remains a critical point of discussion, with EU leaders visiting India likely addressing the matter. Ukraine and Russia recently concluded two days of US-brokered peace talks in Abu Dhabi, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described as "constructive," despite Moscow's largest air offensive on Ukraine this year. A key issue on the table is Ukraine’s future EU membership, with reports suggesting Kyiv and Washington are pushing for an ambitious accession deadline as early as January 2027. Minister Thomas Byrne supported this ambition, stating, "It’s extremely ambitious, but if it’s part of the peace deal, we’d certainly have to make it work," while acknowledging it would be a "big job" for the Irish rotating presidency of the EU Council starting in July.

Byrne reiterated the severity of the conflict, calling it "unconscionable" and stating that Europe's role is to bring it to an end by continuing to apply economic pressure on Russia. He emphasized that the war represents an "economic and security threat to Europe and to all of us." The broader discussion on European security is gaining traction, with the Spanish Foreign Affairs Minister José Manuel Albares advocating for the EU to take full control of its own security, including the creation of a European army.

Meanwhile, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) are scheduled to decide on resuming the implementation of the EU-US trade deal, which was temporarily frozen last week. The suspension was a retaliatory measure following former President Donald Trump’s threats to impose tariffs related to Greenland. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte played a crucial role in providing an "off-ramp" for Trump to de-escalate these threats. Following Trump's reversal, several EU leaders, including European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, have urged the parliament to proceed with the deal's implementation, which was sealed last summer between Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

However, MEPs have adopted a cautious stance. German MEP Bernd Lange, chair of the parliament’s international trade committee, noted that "hardly any details are known yet about the proposed Greenland deal" and that these details are necessary before deciding on the EU-US trade deal's implementation. Similarly, MEP Kathleen Van Brempt, the socialist vice-chair of the committee, stated that there cannot be "business as usual," citing "several hurdles to clear, both regarding the agreement itself and the broader challenges posed by Trump." The European Commission, which negotiated the agreement where the EU would cut tariffs on US goods to 0% while EU exports to the US would face 15% tariffs, has signaled impatience to move ahead, with Von der Leyen asserting, "A deal is a deal."

Other significant events unfolding include French President Emmanuel Macron's call for a ban on social media for children under 15 by September, anti-government protests erupting in Tirana, and Israel's conditional agreement to partially reopen Gaza's Rafah crossing if a hostage's body is found. Additionally, EU European affairs, agriculture, and fisheries ministers are gathering in Brussels, an intergovernmental conference is being held with Montenegro, and European Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen is in Hamburg to discuss offshore wind ventures, highlighting a busy week for European diplomacy and policy.