New Delhi, October 29 (Udaipur Kiran) — India and the European Union (EU) are expected to conclude negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by the end of this year following productive discussions held during Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal’s visit to Brussels.
Goyal met with European Commission Executive Vice President and Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maroš Šefčovič and his team between October 26 and 28, where both sides engaged in detailed discussions to resolve the remaining issues related to the FTA.
According to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, both parties emphasised the need for a balanced, fair, and transparent agreement that reflects the deep trust and strategic partnership between India and the EU. The dialogue followed the direction set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during the College of Commissioners visit to New Delhi in February, where both sides had agreed to target the conclusion of the FTA by the end of 2025.
During the talks, India highlighted that the agreement should address both tariff and non-tariff barriers while establishing a predictable and transparent framework for future trade. Detailed discussions were also held on India’s concerns regarding non-tariff measures and the EU’s new regulatory policies.
Goyal stressed the importance of special concessions for labour-intensive sectors. Both sides agreed to finalise non-sensitive industrial tariff lines, while continuing further consultations on critical areas such as steel, automobiles, the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), and other regulatory matters.
The ministry stated that to advance the negotiations, a technical delegation from the EU will visit India next week to carry forward the discussions and finalise pending technical aspects of the trade agreement.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
