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  1. Negotiations

EU-India


The European Union and India launched negotiations on a bilateral free trade and investment agreement in June 2007. However, between the governments, a number of controversies have been plaguing the talks. Delhi wants Brussels to relax its stringent food safety criteria which penalise Indian farm and fishery exports and to make it easier for Indian professionals to work in the EU. Europe is primarily out to win major openings of India’s services sector and broad liberalisation of foreign investment, while India does not want to discuss allowing European firms to compete in India’s government procurement market.

Indian social movements, including fisherfolk and labour unions, people living with HIV/AIDS and other health activists have been mobilizing against the FTA. International actions and campaigns have particularly targeted the proposed intellectual property provisions of the agreement, and the impact of the FTA on access to medicines.

last update: May 2012
Photo: MSF

Lower auto tariffs, wider market access: What the India-EU trade deal may look like
26-Jan-2026     India Today
India and the European Union are on the verge of reaching a FTA, with an "agreement in principle" expected imminently. The breakthrough is driven by India’s unprecedented offer to significantly reduce import tariffs on European goods—particularly high-end automobiles, with duties potentially dropping from 110% to as low as 10% over time.
India-EU free trade pact: What's agreed, what's at stake after years of talks
23-Jan-2026     Reuters
India and the European Union are close to concluding a long-sought free trade agreement (FTA), with an announcement expected on Tuesday at the India–EU Summit in New Delhi.
EU pulls tariff preferences on 87 pc of Indian exports ahead of FTA
22-Jan-2026     Deccan Chronicle
From January 1, 2026, India faces a significant setback in the European Union market as the EU suspends Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) benefits for 87% of its exports. This move means Indian products must now pay full Most Favoured Nation (MFN) tariffs, eliminating the previous 20% average tariff reduction under GSP.
Germany's Merz floats possibility of EU-India trade deal by end of January
13-Jan-2026     Reuters
German Chancellor floated the possibility that the European Union and India could sign a landmark free trade agreement by the end of January, a move that could reshape global trade ties as protectionism rises and US-India talks remain stalled.
France, Germany, Poland push for swift EU-India free trade deal
9-Jan-2026     Khmer Times
France, Germany, and Poland called for the swift signing of a free trade deal between the EU and India, describing it as a “decisive step” in relations, the French foreign minister said.
Piyush Goyal to visit Brussels for final FTA talks ahead of India-EU Summit
5-Jan-2026     Financial Express
With India-EU free trade agreement negotiations in final stages, Commerce and Industry minister Piyush Goyal will visit Brussels this week for what could be the last set of meetings between the trade leadership of both sides on the talks before the India-EU Summit later this month.
India, EU hold ‘intensive talks’ on FTA with year-end deadline in sight
15-Dec-2025     The Financial Express
The European Union, led by Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic, has kicked off intense two-day negotiations with India’s Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal to finalize a landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA) before the year-end deadline.
Strong political push to seal FTA with India by 2025 end: EU ambassador
4-Dec-2025     Business Standard
India and the European Union (EU) to finalize the revamped India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by the end of 2025. Of the 23 chapters under negotiation, 11 have been completed, with key discussions ongoing in areas such as market access for cars, steel, services, investment, and technical trade barriers.
India-Sweden bilateral trade can double in 5 years if India-EU FTA, India's green transition plans materialise
2-Dec-2025     Fortune India
Twelve chapters have been concluded, and both sides are working intensively to close the remaining eight. The aim is to finalize the agreement by the end of 2025, with a formal signing expected at the India–EU Summit in January 2026.
India-EU push to close FTA talks by year-end as Brussels meetings set new strategic tone
26-Nov-2025     Business Today
India and the European Union have pushed their long-running free trade talks back to the centre of their partnership, reaffirming a shared goal to conclude negotiations on the FTA by the end of this year. The joint statement reaffirmed ambitions to finalize the FTA, accelerate negotiations on an Investment Protection Agreement, and conclude a Geographical Indications agreement.