India and EU Push for Swift and Balanced Free Trade Agreement
India and the European Union are intensifying efforts to conclude a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by the end of 2025. Key discussions focus on market access, regulatory cooperation, and non-tariff measures to ensure a balanced and mutually beneficial deal. Negotiations also include agreements on investment protection and geographical indications, reflecting strengthened economic and strategic ties.
India and the European Union are advancing negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement aimed at fostering balanced, swift, and mutually beneficial trade relations. During a visit by Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal to Brussels in October 2025, discussions with EU Commissioner Maroš Šefcovic emphasized the urgency to conclude the FTA by December 2025. The talks cover essential issues such as market access, non-tariff barriers, regulatory cooperation, and seek to enhance economic ties between the two parties. Separate negotiations continue for an investment protection agreement and a geographical indications agreement, aiming to secure investments and preserve protected product names on both sides. The India-EU bilateral trade in goods reached $136.53 billion in fiscal year 2025, highlighting the economic significance of the relationship. This diplomatic push follows strategic engagements including meetings between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, focused on promoting prosperity, sustainability, and innovation. Additionally, an EU Parliamentary delegation visited India to assess the progress and support efforts to finalize the deal. The agreement aims not only to remove trade barriers but also to facilitate regulatory alignment and enforce sustainable development commitments, thereby strengthening long-term economic partnership and supporting resilient supply chains between India and the EU.
