PM Modi congratulates Ursula von der Leyen on her win as European Commission President

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday congratulated Ursula von der Leyen on her second term as the President of the European Commission.

PM Modi said he is looking forward to working together to strengthen the India-European Commission partnership for global good.

In a post on X, PM Modi said, “Congratulations, @vonderleyen, on your re-election as the President of the European Commission. Look forward to working together to strengthen the India-Eurpoean Commission Strategic Partnership for global good.”

Earlier on June 28, European Union (EU) leaders gathered in Brussels recently to settle on the bloc’s leadership for the next five years, a decision that was not without controversy as Italian and Hungarian leaders expressed dissent. Despite opposition from Italy’s Georgia Meloni and Hungary’s Viktor Orban, Ursula von der Leyen, Antonio Costa, and Kaja Kallas were nominated to prominent EU positions at the summit.

Ursula von der Leyen secured her second term as President of the European Commission, while Antonio Costa, former Prime Minister of Portugal, was appointed President of the European Council. Kaja Kallas, the Estonian Prime Minister, was nominated for the role of High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

The confirmation of von der Leyen and Kallas still awaits approval by the European Parliament, while Costa’s appointment as Council President is automatic due to his previous role. He is set to assume office on December 1.

“I would like to express my gratitude to the leaders who endorsed my nomination for a second mandate,” said von der Leyen on her re-nomination. “I am very honoured.”

Italian Prime Minister Meloni voiced her opposition to Costa and Kallas, abstaining on von der Leyen’s nomination, according to diplomatic sources. Orban opposed von der Leyen’s candidacy but abstained on Kallas and supported Costa.

Costa, in accepting his new role, expressed a sense of mission, stating, “It is with a strong sense of mission that I will take up the responsibility of being the next President of the European Council.”