Evian-Les-Bains (France), Jun 17 (PTI) India and the European Union will sign the ambitious free trade agreement by the end of this year, top EU leader Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday after holding talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In the meeting, held on the sidelines of the G7 summit in this French commune, the two sides also resolved to step up security and defence cooperation.

Besides Von der Leyen, the President of the EU Commission, the meeting was joined by European Council President Antonio Costa.

"Since we have concluded the mother of all trade deals, we have been moving fast to deliver on our commitments. We will sign the Free Trade Agreement by the end of the year. And accelerate work on an investment agreement," Von der Leyen said on social media.

"We will also step up security & defence cooperation. And join forces for better connectivity by advancing IMEC, the India–Middle East–Europe Corridor," she said.

India and the EU announced concluding negotiations for the mega trade deal at their summit meeting in January in New Delhi. PTI MPB ZH ZH

India-EU free trade agreement advances with investment, defence cooperation and connectivity talks on the agenda. India and the European Union are to advance their trade and economic engagement by finalising a free trade agreement by the end of the year and accelerating work on an investment agreement. The two sides also identified wider areas of cooperation, including stepped-up security and defence cooperation and collaboration on connectivity through the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor.