EU-India FTA Nears Conclusion Ahead of Delhi Summit
EU-India FTA Nears Conclusion Ahead of Delhi Summit
EU trade chief says negotiations are close to wrapping up as Delhi prepares for a high-profile summit with top EU officials and Republic Day guests.
EU trade chief Maroš Šefčovič said negotiations between India and the European Union are nearing the conclusion of their free trade agreement. The update comes ahead of the EU-India summit to be held in Delhi on January 27, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosting the talks. The gathering will also see European leaders attending Republic Day celebrations on January 26 as guests of honour.
Šefčovič shared on X that this is the 10th in-person engagement with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, and he emphasized that they are nearing the conclusion of the FTA negotiations. He described the past year as intensely focused on trade issues, noting it may be his most frequent engagement in this capacity, underscoring the importance of the process.
Goyal responded that sustained and constructive engagement between their teams over the past year has brought them closer to a fruitful outcome. He reiterated that the European Union remains a vital economic and strategic partner for India and highlighted a shared commitment to a mutually beneficial, ambitious FTA for the prosperity of their businesses and people.
Ahead of Republic Day, Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa will attend the Delhi celebrations as guests of honour. Von der Leyen conveyed a message during Davos that Europe wants to do business with growth centers of the world, signaling a clear push for deeper ties with India’s growth hubs. The negotiations are widely seen as central to strengthening economic links and boosting trade, exports, and investment between the two blocs, even as the final terms are still being worked out.
