Indian PM Modi expected at EU summit in Brussels in December

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BRUSSELS — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is planning to attend the EU summit in December, according to two officials familiar with the discussions.

The visit would come after the EU and India concluded negotiations on a free-trade agreement and signed a security and defense partnership in January.

“We are working on it,” said one of the officials when asked to confirm that Modi would join leaders in Brussels on Dec. 17-18 for the European Council’s final scheduled meeting of the year. The visit hasn’t been officially confirmed and plans may change.

The trade deal, which will open markets involving 2 billion people and accounting for more than a fifth of global GDP, has not yet been signed — the last step before it can be fully ratified.

Modi’s visit would present an opportunity to do so, although EU countries have yet to give their backing.

The Indian Embassy in Brussels did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Camille Gijs contributed reporting.