Page 2 - India-eu Ties

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

Counterterrorism experts from EU, India exchange best practices at workshop

Counterterrorism experts and senior representatives from the European Union and Indian security agencies and policy institutions on Wednesday gathered here to exchange best practices on prevention, de-radicalisation and rehabilitation of violent extremists. The EU convened a technical workshop on preventing and countering violent extremism on the sidelines of the Raisina Dialogue, according to an official statement. Opened by EU Ambassador to India Herv Delphin, the workshop was organised in cooperation with the Embassy of the Netherlands. "The event brought together counterterrorism experts and senior representatives from EU and Indian security agencies and policy institutions, to exchange best practices on prevention, de-radicalisation, and rehabilitation of violent extremists," said the statement issued by the Delegation of the European Union to India. The EU delegation included security practitioners from European Union institutions, EU Member States including Belgium, Bulgaria

India, EU discuss bilateral ties, parliamentary exchanges, global issues

During EU President Ursula von der Leyen's visit to India in February, both parties directed their teams to conclude Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations by the end of the year

EU firms want removal of non-tariff barriers as part of FTA deal with India

The Survey provides an outlook and overview of evolving EU-India bilateral trade and investment ties as well as offers an insight into the opportunities and challenges faced by European businesses

The new bilateral age: EU FTA urgency key to shaping the new trade order

The World Trade Organization (WTO) seemed unable to rein in China's hidden subsidies to its exporting sectors, and to restore a level playing field for global trade

PM Modi, EC chief Von Der Leyen hold talks to bolster India-EU partnership

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held talks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, focusing on imparting fresh momentum to the India-European Union (EU) strategic partnership. The two sides are expected to take stock of the ongoing negotiations to firm up an ambitious trade deal as well as explore ways to boost trade and investment ties. Von der Leyen, accompanied by the EU College of Commissioners or senior political leaders of the bloc, arrived here on Thursday on a two-day visit. "This world is fraught with danger. But I believe this modern version of great power competition is an opportunity for Europe and India to re-imagine their partnership," she said at a think-tank ahead of her talks with PM Modi. "In many ways, the EU and India are uniquely placed to respond to this challenge together," she said. The two sides are also expected to deliberate on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the situation in the Indo-Pacific and developments in West Asia. A joint .