India-EU FTA Talks Conclude in New Delhi; Focus on CBAM and Steel Regulations
A senior EU negotiation team met Indian counterparts in New Delhi from November 3-7, 2025, to advance the proposed India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Key issues reviewed included trade in goods and services, investment, sustainable development, rules of origin, and technical barriers. Both sides emphasized the need for balanced, development-oriented outcomes and greater clarity on the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and steel rules. The talks aim for conclusion by year-end.
From November 3 to 7, 2025, a senior European Union negotiation team visited New Delhi to continue comprehensive discussions with Indian officials on the proposed India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Over the two-day stocktake meeting (November 5-6), both parties reviewed and discussed key outstanding issues spanning multiple chapters such as trade in goods and services, investment, sustainable development, rules of origin, and technical trade barriers. Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal held high-level meetings with the European Commission's Director General for Trade, Sabine Weyand, to assess overall progress and work towards resolving pending matters. A significant point highlighted by India was the need for clarity and predictability regarding the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and proposed steel sector regulations to prevent trade distortions. Both sides expressed their commitment to concluding a comprehensive, balanced, and mutually beneficial trade pact, aiming for finalization by the end of 2025, consistent with leaders' prior commitments. These negotiations build on prior rounds held in Brussels and New Delhi earlier in 2025, with successive progress on various chapters narrowing gaps and accelerating towards agreement.
