\India and the European Union (EU) have reaffirmed their commitment to expedite the conclusion of negotiations on the long-pending Free Trade Agreement (FTA), Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal announced on Thursday.
In a post on X, Goyal said that both sides agreed a “balanced and mutually beneficial” FTA would unlock new avenues of growth for businesses and citizens.
“As the India-EU FTA negotiations continue, we reiterated our shared commitment towards its early conclusion. A balanced and mutually beneficial FTA will unlock new opportunities for people & businesses on both sides,” he wrote.
EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic and Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Christophe Hansen are in India from September 12–13 to take stock of the talks and strengthen trade ties. The EU Embassy in India earlier confirmed their visit, highlighting meetings with Goyal and interactions with industry stakeholders.
Germany, a key EU member, has already reiterated its support for a swift conclusion of the FTA, with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul recently stressing the importance of finalising the deal soon.
India has emphasised that meaningful progress in negotiations requires addressing non-tariff barriers alongside tariff discussions, while ensuring regulatory frameworks remain inclusive and do not impede trade.
Over the past five years, India has inked several major trade pacts, including:
- The India-Mauritius CECPA (2021)
- The India-UAE CEPA (2022)
- The India-Australia ECTA (2022)
- The India-European Free Trade Association (EFTA) TEPA (2024)
- The India-UK CETA (2025, awaiting implementation)
The India-EU FTA, once finalised, is expected to significantly boost trade flows between the two partners. Meanwhile, India continues discussions on other agreements, including with Australia (CECA), Sri Lanka (ETCA), Peru, Chile, New Zealand, and the United States.
