EU-India Trade Talks Intensify: Paving the Path for a Landmark FTA

A high-level EU trade delegation is visiting India to finalize a bilateral Free Trade Agreement. The visit focuses on promoting mutual understanding and preparing for the FTA deadline by 2025. India and the EU are working to enhance trade ties and protect the multilateral trade order.

A high-powered European Union trade delegation is scheduled to visit India next week, aiming to finalize the long-awaited bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two regions. The delegation, comprising seven members from the EU Committee on International Trade, will engage in discussions from October 27 to 29, focusing on trade, economic, and investment relations.

Led by Cristina Maestre, the committee's standing rapporteur for India, alongside Brando Benifei, the delegation seeks to foster mutual understanding amid ongoing intensive trade negotiations. 'The mission is timely, as both parties aim to conclude negotiations by the end of 2025,' stated Maestre and Benifei in a joint statement, emphasizing the mutual interest in achieving a meaningful bilateral agreement.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reiterated their commitment last month to finalize the trade deal by December. The EU, as India's largest trade partner, recorded a bilateral trade in goods worth USD 135 billion for the financial year 2023-24. The anticipated FTA is expected to significantly boost these trade ties. After the 14th negotiation round in October, the EU reported progress, particularly closing the SPS chapter.