A top delegation from the European Union has arrived in New Delhi for a week-long round of talks on the planned India-EU Free Trade Agreement.
The discussions, scheduled for November 3-7, aim to overcome critical divisions and move the pact toward a mutually advantageous and balanced framework, according to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
The new round of talks comes after Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal’s visit to Brussels on October 27-28, where he had fruitful conversations with European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic.
These consultations reinforced both sides’ shared commitment to accelerating engagement and reaching a comprehensive trade agreement.
During the Delhi meetings, negotiators will discuss key issues like as trade in products and services, rules of origin, and institutional processes. The discussions are guided by a shared goal of creating a modern, resilient, and forward-looking FTA that protects both partners’ economic interests and sensitivities.
Momentum has been building since a high-level virtual meeting earlier this week between Minister Goyal, Commissioner Sefcovic, and the EU’s Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, Christophe Hansen. The chat served to establish the tone for the ongoing physical negotiations.
Sabine Weyand, Director-General for Trade at the European Commission (EU DG Trade), will visit New Delhi from November 5 to 6 to hold high-level discussions with India’s Commerce Secretary, Rajesh Aggarwal. Their discussions will center on outstanding technical and policy issues that form the foundation of the proposed agreement.
The EU delegation’s presence demonstrates both sides’ strong political will to reach a fair and comprehensive trade agreement. The FTA, once signed, is anticipated to improve bilateral commerce, attract more investment, foster technological collaboration, and support long-term economic growth across industries.
