EU trade chief: India-EU FTA nearing conclusion ahead of Delhi summit
EU trade chief: India-EU FTA nearing conclusion ahead of Delhi summit
EU trade chief says India-EU FTA negotiations are near completion ahead of the Delhi summit, signaling a potential milestone for trade and regional ties.
Maros Sefcovic, EU Commissioner for Trade, said on Sunday that India and the European Union are nearing the conclusion of the free trade agreement negotiations, signaling a potential milestone ahead of the EU-India summit to be hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi on January 27. The visit also features European leaders Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa as guests of honour for Republic Day celebrations on January 26.
On X, Sefcovic noted the cumulation of an intense past year and that the negotiations are likely to reach a close, marking his most frequent trade engagement with India. In response, India's Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal welcomed the progress, saying sustained and constructive engagement over the past year has brought both sides closer to a fruitful outcome and underscored the importance of a mutually beneficial, ambitious FTA for the prosperity of businesses and people.
Observers say the Delhi summit will provide a platform to finalize remaining technical details, with trade, technology, and security cooperation highlighted as key areas of focus. The high-profile attendance by European leadership reinforces the growing strategic and economic ties between India and the bloc as both seek to expand market access amid a fractured global economy.
