Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said India has left “no stone unturned” to secure a fair, balanced India–EU Free Trade Agreement, after high-level talks with EU trade chief Maroš Šefčovič. With substantive progress reported and next meetings slated for early January, negotiators are steering toward an early, win‑win conclusion.
Momentum and mandate
India and the EU held intensive discussions on December 8–9 to provide strategic guidance to negotiating teams, following a week of technical talks in New Delhi across key FTA chapters including market access, rules of origin, services, and trade and sustainable development. Both sides signaled commitment to conclude at the earliest.
Notable updates and major takeaways
• “No stone unturned” for a fair deal: Goyal underscored India’s push for a balanced FTA delivering mutual benefits and long-term trade and investment flows.
• Substantive progress; next round in January: Negotiators will reconvene in early January, with Goyal emphasizing a 100% win‑win approach and optimism about bridging remaining gaps.
• Blueprint nearing completion: India and the EU have broadly prepared the agreement’s framework, with expectations of a decision soon as the blueprint firms up.
• Technical coverage: Recent talks spanned market access for goods, technical barriers to trade, rules of origin, services, and trade and sustainable development—signaling breadth and depth of negotiations.
Outlook
Goyal expressed confidence in an “early conclusion,” noting strong political will on both sides. While timelines remain open, the air “is pregnant with possibilities,” as negotiators align toward a fair, ambitious agreement.
Sources:
Press Information Bureau; CNBC-TV18; Hindustan Times; India–EU Trade Council; Financial Express