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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

The EU is seeking new trade partnerships. Here’s why
28-Jan-2026     AP
The free trade agreement between the European Union and India underscores the EU’s efforts to ink new global partnerships at a time when the Trump administration has rattled the region’s capitals which have long relied on a stable relationship with Washington on trade, defense and diplomacy.
India–EU free trade agreement finalised. Can it accelerate an India-US trade deal?
28-Jan-2026     Live Mint
The India-EU free trade agreement, finalised after nearly two decades. This milestone has shifted focus to the long-stalled India-US trade deal, with hopes that the EU agreement may pressure the US to accelerate talks, despite ongoing disagreements over agriculture, digital trade, and India’s imports of Russian oil.
EU inks 'mother of all deals' with India trade agreement amid global turmoil
27-Jan-2026     Euronews
The EU Commission sealed a free-trade agreement with India cutting tariffs on EU goods while excluding agriculture to appease Indian authorities. Europe’s car industry is set to be among the biggest beneficiaries of the agreement.
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.