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Free Trade Agreements
The negotiations for a proposed bilateral trade agreement between India and the US are progressing, and both countries are working to close the deal "quickly", Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Saturday. He expressed confidence that "good news" on this front will be announced in the near future. "Every free trade agreement stands on its own legs. And we are having very good negotiations. My counterpart in the US and I have a very wonderful working relationship and a wonderful personal friendship. We are working towards closing the deal quickly," Goyal told PTI in an interview. He was replying to a question about when the "father of all deals" between India and the US would become a reality, now that the "mother of all deals" is already in the bag. The free trade agreement between India and the European Union, which was concluded recently, has been widely termed as "mother of all deals". On whether the India-US trade pact could be concluded by the end of this year
The signing of the IndiaEuropean Union Free Trade Agreement will be a major boost for the footwear and leather industry and open up new opportunities for exporters, a senior official of the CLE said here on Saturday. The European Union is the largest market for India's footwear and leather sectors, accounting for 43 per cent of exports, Council for Leather Exports Executive Director R Selvam said. The Council for Leather Exports functions under the aegis of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and is the apex trade promotion organisation for India's leather and leather products sector. "The IndiaEU Free Trade Agreement, which provides for zero per cent import duty in the EU for the footwear and leather sector, will open up new opportunities for exporters and help achieve our envisaged export target of USD 14 billion by 2030," Selvam said. Speaking to reporters, he said the agreement would enhance cooperation between India and the EU not only in sourcing but also in investments. I
The European Union and the Mercosur bloc of South American countries formally signed a long-sought landmark free trade agreement on Saturday, capping over a quarter-century of torturous negotiations to strengthen commercial ties in the face of rising protectionism and trade tensions around the world. The signing ceremony in Paraguay's humid capital of Asuncion marks a major geopolitical victory for the EU in an age of American tariffs and surging Chinese exports, expanding the bloc's foothold in a resource-rich region increasingly contested by Washington and Beijing. It also sends a message that South America cultivates diverse trade and diplomatic relations even as US President Donald Trump declares dominance in the Western Hemisphere.
India and the European Union (EU) are negotiating a free trade agreement (FTA). Negotiations have reached the final stage. If finalised, this will be the 19th trade deal for India. The FTA is expected to help boost the country's exports to the 27-nation bloc. Since 2014, India has finalised seven trade pacts -- Mauritius (April 2021 implemented), Australia (December 2022 implemented), UAE (May 2022 implemented), Oman (signed in December 2025), UK (signed in July 2025), EFTA (implemented in October 2025 - Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway), and New Zealand (talks concluded in December 2025). Importance of this FTA: The imposition of high tariffs by the US has disrupted the global flow of goods. India is facing steep 50 per cent tariffs. The FTA is expected to help Indian exporters diversify their shipments. It will also help reduce dependence on China. Benefits for India and the EU: Tariffs or import duties are either reduced or eliminated under an FTA. Therefore, an FTA
India and the European Union (EU) on Friday held talks in Brussels on the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and reaffirmed their commitment to a rules-based trading framework and a modern economic partnership that safeguards the interests of farmers and MSMEs. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal is on a two-day official visit to the EU headquarters for the talks. He has held high-level talks with EU Trade and Economic Security Commissioner Maros Sefcovic for securing a mutually beneficial FTA. "During this dialogue, we deliberated across key areas of the proposed agreement. We reaffirmed our commitment to a rules-based trading framework and a modern economic partnership that safeguards the interests of farmers and MSMEs while integrating Indian industries into global supply chains," Goyal said in a social media post. The ministerial engagements follow a week of intensive deliberations in Brussels, building upon the groundwork laid during high-level discussions held earlie
The highly anticipated free trade deal between India and the UK, in the works for over four years, came to fruition in 2025, alongside a Vision 2035' pact to revitalise bilateral ties beyond the realm of trade and investment. The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations dominated the headlines for the major part of the year as both sides looked determined to get the deal over the line and formally signed off during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the UK in July. Keir Starmer, celebrating his own one-year mark as British Prime Minister, laid out an especially warm reception for Modi over cups of chai at his countryside residence Chequers, near London. We have agreed a landmark deal with India one of the fastest growing economies in the world, declared Starmer, formally accepting Modi's reciprocal invitation to lead the biggest British trade delegation to India ever within weeks in October. According to the UK Department for Business and Trade (DBT) analysis, the Comprehensiv
Legally binding commitments on professional services such as chartered accountants, doctors and architects under various Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) signed by India will help open up overseas opportunities for these professionals, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal has said. He has stated that India's demographic dividend offers immense potential to meet the rising global demand for professional services. To tap into this potential, Agrawal said, it is critical to adopt global best practices and equip professionals with upgraded skills aligned with evolving global market needs and technological developments. He also encouraged professional bodies like the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) to organise and participate in international conferences to enable knowledge sharing and provide platforms for enhanced collaboration. The secretary said this while addressing a brainstorming session on 'Expanding Global Horizons: Opportunities for Indian Professionals' on Decembe
The free trade agreement (FTA) between India and New Zealand will help diversify exports, and attract investments in areas like agriculture, experts said. The conclusion of negotiations for the pact was announced on December 22. It is likely to be signed and implemented next year. India and New Zealand on Monday said they have concluded talks on a free trade deal that will give India tariff-free access to the island nation's markets, bring in USD 20 billion of investment over the next 15 years and help double bilateral trade in goods and services the next five years to USD 5 billion. Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) President S C Ralhan said upon entry into force, the free trade agreement (FTA) will provide zero-duty access on 100 per cent of India's exports, with tariff elimination across all tariff lines or product categories. "It will enhance the competitiveness of Indian products in the New Zealand market and provide a major boost to employment-generating sector
India and Oman will sign a free trade agreement on Thursday in Muscat with an aim to boost economic ties between the two countries, an official said. It will be signed in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a four-day, three-nation visit. He arrived in Ethiopia on Tuesday from Jordan and will depart for Oman from Addis Ababa. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has reached Muscat for the FTA signing. Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal too will reach Oman, the official said. Talks for the free trade agreement, officially termed as CEPA (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement), formally began in November 2023 and the negotiations concluded this year. In free trade agreements, the two trading partners either significantly reduce or eliminate customs duties on a maximum number of goods traded between them. They also ease norms to promote trade in services and attract investments. Oman is the third-largest export destination for India among the Gulf ...