India-eu Ties

India, EU set to firm up FTA, strategic agenda at summit on Jan 27

With the world order looking wobbly, the European Union is eyeing to forge a broad global agenda in partnership with India and the two sides are set to firm up a free trade pact, a defence framework agreement and a strategic agenda at their annual summit on January 27. Top diplomatic sources told PTI that the free trade agreement to be sealed at the summit in New Delhi will be a "living document" on which work could be continued to iron out any issues that remain unresolved. "India and the EU can set the agenda for global governance, along with France, in the absence of the US," a senior EU official said. "India is one of the big players that we work with and can rely on." The proposed India-EU free trade agreement is expected to bring the relationship between the two sides much closer, with its positive impact being expected in a range of other sectors as well, at a time the world is witnessing trade disruptions in view of Washington's tariff policy. It is learnt that the two side

India, EAEU review roadmap for proposed FTA to deepen trade, market access

India and the five-nation grouping Eurasian Economic Commission have reviewed the roadmap for their proposed free trade agreement in goods with an aim to boost economic ties between the two, according to an official statement on Sunday. On August 20 this year, India and the Eurasian Economic Union bloc inked terms of reference to start formal negotiations for a proposed free trade agreement. Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal has visited Moscow last week to hold talks with Minister in charge of Trade of the Eurasian Economic Commission Andrey Slepnev and Russian Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Mikhail Yurin. "In the meeting with Minister Slepnev, the Commerce Secretary reviewed the next steps for the India-EAEU FTA in goods. The Terms of Reference signed on 20 August 2025 outline an 18-month work plan aimed at diversifying markets for Indian businesses, including MSMEs, farmers and fishermen," the commerce ministry said on Sunday. The five members of the Eurasian Economic Unio

India, EU negotiators start talks to resolve outstanding FTA issues

Negotiators of India and the EU on Monday commenced talks to resolve outstanding issues in the proposed free trade agreement, as the deadline to conclude the talks nears, the commerce ministry said. A team of negotiators from the European Union (EU) is here from November 3-7 for negotiations with Indian counterparts on the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Deliberations during the week will focus on core areas, including trade in goods, trade in services, rules of origin amongst others, along with technical and institutional matters. "The engagements aim to resolve key outstanding issues and advance the agreement toward a balanced and equitable framework that benefits both sides," the ministry said in a statement. This visit follows Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal's official visit to Brussels (27-28 October, 2025), where he held forward-looking discussions with Maros Sefcovic, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security. "These consultations reaff

EU member nations back EU-India strategic agenda to boost ties, cooperation

All the 27 member nations of the European Union have unanimously backed the block's new strategic agenda with India that seeks to significantly ramp up two-way ties in several key sectors such as defence, trade and technology. The new document was released by the European Commission and the EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy Kaja Kallas last month. The European Council comprising representatives of all the EU member nations unanimously supported it on Monday, according to EU officials. The new strategic agenda is expected to be adopted at the India-EU summit that is expected to be held in New Delhi early next year. The new strategic agenda identifies five areas of shared interest that include security and defence, connectivity and global issues, prosperity, sustainability, technology and innovation. Beyond the bilateral dimension, the new strategic agenda highlights EU-India joint engagement on global issues and with third partners, reflecting India's .

Indian textile exporters turn to EU, offer discounts amid high US tariffs

The EU is India's largest trading partner for goods, with two-way trade of $137.5 billion in the fiscal year to March 2024, for an increase of nearly 90 per cent over the past decade

Europe wants a reliable partner; India needs to act cautiously and step up

The European Union seeks concessions from India, tolerating ties with Russia and oil export; now India must reciprocate, avoiding unnecessary moves that would further strain EU's trust

Greek PM dials Modi, extends support for early conclusion of India-EU FTA

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Friday conveyed to his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi Greece's support for the early conclusion of a mutually beneficial India-EU free trade agreement. The issue figured during a phone conversation between the two prime ministers. Modi and Mitsotakis also took stock of bilateral ties between India and Greece, especially in areas of trade, investment and defence. "Both leaders welcomed developments in bilateral relations across sectors such as trade, investment, technology, shipping, defence, security, connectivity and people-to-people ties, and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen the India-Greece strategic partnership," according to an Indian readout. It said Mitsotakis conveyed Greece's support for the early conclusion of a mutually beneficial India-EU free trade agreement and for the success of the AI Impact Summit to be hosted by India in 2026. The call was initiated by the Greek leader. The 13th round of negotiations

EU unveils new agenda for India, but energy ties with Russia cast shadow

The European Union on Wednesday unveiled a new strategic agenda to ramp up its engagement with New Delhi in several key sectors such as defence, trade and technology even as the 27-nation bloc's foreign and security policy chief Kaja Kallas said India's military exercises and its purchase of Russian oil "stand in the way of closer ties". The EU said its closer partnership with India is increasingly becoming vital in the wake of shifting geopolitical realities and that it is imperative for the two sides to strengthen economic growth and security. Hours after the 'New Strategic EU-India Agenda' was unveiled, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reaffirmed their commitment to finalise the much-awaited India-EU free trade deal by the year-end. The top EU leader dialled Modi to greet him on his birthday. "Now is the time to double down on partnerships rooted in shared interests and guided by common values. With our new EU-?India strategy, w

India, EU trade talks enter crucial phase, aiming to seal deal by year end

The EU is India's biggest trading partner in goods, with bilateral trade hitting $137.5 billion in the 2023/24 fiscal year, up nearly 90% over the past decade

EU unlikely to impose 100% tariffs on India on Trump's request; here's why

The European Union treats tariffs and sanctions differently and considers imposing such tariffs as a risky move, and supports targeting specific entities with sanctions

India, Eurasian Economic Union sign terms to launch trade negotiations

Russia dominates grouping with more than 92% share in India's trade

India must seek carbon safeguards for small firms in FTA talks with EU

The EU is India's second-largest export market. India exported $70 billion worth of merchandise to the EU in 2023, out of which CBAM-covered commodities were worth $7.3 billion

CBAM exemption may not offer much relief to Indian steel MSMEs: Experts

50-tonne threshold seen as too low to ease burden; experts call for green transition or market diversification

India criticises EU sanctions on Russia, including Gujarat refinery

The "Government of India considers the provision of energy security a responsibility of paramount importance to meet the basic needs of its citizens," said MEA

India-EU trade deal likely to finalise by year-end, says Finnish ambassador

Finland's Ambassador to India, Kimmo Lhdevirta, expressed confidence on Monday about finalising a much-awaited trade deal between India and the European Union (EU) by year-end. The ambassador inaugurated the honorary consulate of Finland in Ahmedabad. Kulin Lalbhai, a prominent businessman from Gujarat and Vice Chairman of Arvind Ltd, has been appointed as the Honorary Consul of Finland. The Finnish ambassador termed as "historic" the visit of the European Union College of Commissioners to India in February, stressing for a solution agreeable to both parties. "It was a really historic visit, and I think it also created very good momentum for the negotiations to go ahead. I think both leaders on the European side and India are now committed to the goal of having an agreement by the end of this year," he told reporters. Admitting that a lot of work needs to be done, Lhdevirta emphasised there is a good chance to achieve this goal. "At the moment, I would say that the momentum and t

India, EU conclude another round of FTA talks; deal likely in two phases

India and the European Union (EU) chief negotiators have concluded another round of talks on the proposed free trade agreement (FTA) here and agreed to reach a deal in two phases, according to an official. "The 11th round of talks concluded on May 16," the official said. The two sides have agreed to conclude the agreement in two phases on account of the uncertain global trade environment, particularly due to the US tariff actions under President Donald Trump. The talks focused on areas like market access offers in goods, services, and investment. India has followed the practice of negotiating trade pacts in two phases with Australia. It is following a similar approach to the US. Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal last month stated, "If some of the issues which may not be very core to the trade, maybe taking some more time, then it is better to focus on core trade issues. So, we say that first things first...We are also discussing with the EU what can be the early harvest of the fir

India-EU ties to reach new heights: Jaishankar at Europe Day celebration

He emphasised that the high-level visit connected key policymakers comprehensively, allowing both sides to advance their partnership

India, EU make solid headway towards balanced, mutually free trade deal

Negotiations for the proposed free trade agreement between India and the European Union (EU) are moving on the right track and both sides are making "solid" headway towards a balanced and mutually beneficial deal. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal is in Brussels to discuss progress of this trade agreement with European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic. Addressing media in Brussels, Sefcovic said that the European Union "deeply" values its partnership with India, and it is committed to take it to the next level by securing a commercially meaningful agreement, which opens up the markets for both goods and services. In today's climate of global uncertainty, he said, businesses of both regions are looking for opportunity, access and predictability, and that's what the two are working together to deliver. "I am very happy to say that we are on the right track, that we are making solid headway towards a balanced, mutually beneficial deal. Our teams k

India, EU to resume FTA talks on May 12, agree to speed up progress

India and the European Union (EU) have decided to accelerate efforts to advance the negotiations for the proposed free trade agreement (FTA), with the next round scheduled to begin here on May 12, the commerce ministry said on Tuesday. Additional Secretary in the Department of Commerce L Satya Srinivas said that the tenth round of talks focused on areas like market access offers in goods, services, investment and government procurement. "Both sides have agreed to accelerate efforts to advance the negotiations," he told reporters here. The 11th round is scheduled from May 12-16. On the India-UK trade pact, he said both teams are working to resolve the pending issues. Further, he said that negotiations for a comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) between India and South American nation Chile was launched on April 1. Chile is the fifth largest trading partner of India in the LAC (Latin America and the Caribbean) region with bilateral trade in goods at USD 3.59 billion d

India, EU exploring possibility to negotiate FTA in phases: Report

India and the European Union (EU) are exploring the option of negotiating their free trade agreement (FTA) in phases amidst an uncertain global trade environment following imposition of sweeping tariffs by the US, an official said. India has followed the practice of negotiating such trade pacts in two phases with Australia. Negotiating the FTA in two phases allows both sides to first conclude areas where agreement can be reached more easily. Complex issues can be dealt with at a later stage. "FTA in tranches are being explored with the EU," the official said. The two sides concluded the 10th round of negotiations in Brussels last month for the proposed agreement. The next round of talks is expected in May here. The official added that after the visit of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen with the EU College of Commissioners or senior political leaders of the bloc here, the talks are moving in a positive direction and the momentum is also building. According to tra