India and the European Union on Friday agreed to conclude a free trade deal by the end of the year, their first commitment to a deadline on talks that have been going for years, as they look to soften the effect of tariff increases from the United States.

India and the European Union have agreed to finalize a long-pending free trade agreement this year and boost cooperation in trade, technology, connectivity and defense.

The head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, is in Delhi to strengthen trade and diplomatic ties with India amid looming tariff threats from the US. Von der Leyen is due to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday.

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union on Thursday pushed back hard against allegations by U.S. President Donald Trump that the 27-nation bloc was out to get the United States, and warned that it would vigorously fight any wholesale tariff of 25% on all EU products.

European Union leaders are likely to urge India to lower its tariffs on cars and alcoholic beverages, and expand market access during European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's visit to New Delhi.

In an unprecedented move, India and the European Union (EU) have set a deadline to finish the talks for having the decades-old proposed trade pact by the end of this year.

India will finalise a "mutually beneficial" free trade deal with the European Union by the end of this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Friday after meeting with EU chief Ursula von der Leyen.

The European Union on Thursday pushed back hard against allegations by U.S. President Donald Trump that the 27-nation bloc was out to get the United States, and warned that it would vigorously fight any wholesale tariff of 25% on all EU products.

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