India, EU review progress in FTA negotiations

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal recently visited Brussels to advance the ongoing India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations. During the visit, he held constructive and forward-looking discussions with Maros Sefcovic, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, and his team to address outstanding negotiation issues and provide strategic direction for the conclusion of a balanced and mutually beneficial FTA.

Both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to conclude the India-EU FTA by the end of 2025, following the clear direction from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen during the College of Commissioners’ visit to New Delhi in February 2025. The engagement focused on achieving a mutually beneficial, balanced and equitable trade agreement, reflecting the depth of political trust and the strategic ties between India and the European Union, and at the same time respecting each other’s sensitivities and priorities. 

Union Minister Piyush Goyal visited Brussels to advance India-EU FTA negotiations, holding productive talks with EU Commissioner Maros Sefcovic on outstanding issues.
Both sides reaffirmed their aim to conclude a balanced, mutually beneficial FTA by end-2025, addressing tariff, non-tariff, and regulatory concerns.
An EU technical team will visit India next week to build on the progress achieved.

India recognises the importance of ensuring that the FTA remains balanced in addressing both tariff and non-tariff barriers and creating transparent and predictable regulatory frameworks that accelerate trade for both partners in the coming years, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said in a press release.

There was intensive engagement to explore possible landing zones on the outstanding issues. There was also a good discussion on India’s concerns on non-tariff measures and the new EU regulations. During the negotiations, Goyal emphasised the need for preferential treatment for India’s key asks, particularly those with respect to labour-intensive sectors. Both sides agreed to work closely to finalise the non-sensitive industrial tariff lines. They also agreed that issues related to steel, auto, CBAM, and other EU regulations still require further discussion, as these issues have higher sensitivities.

India looks forward to working closely with the European Union to transform this vision into reality through shared innovation, balanced, equitable, and meaningful trade, and a collective commitment to peace and prosperity. To advance the ongoing discussions, the EU technical team led by the director general for trade will visit India next week with the objective of achieving a constructive conclusion based on the potential solutions identified over the past two days, the release added.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RR)