India and the European Union (EU) have reaffirmed their commitment to advancing negotiations on a comprehensive and balanced Free Trade Agreement (FTA) following a fresh round of talks held in New Delhi from November 3 to 7.
A senior delegation of EU negotiators visited the Indian capital for week-long discussions with their Indian counterparts. The talks covered a wide range of issues, including trade in goods and services, investment, sustainable development, rules of origin, and technical barriers to trade.
Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal held detailed stocktake meetings with Sabine Weyand, Director-General for Trade at the European Commission, on November 5 and 6. The meetings reviewed the progress made across various negotiating tracks and identified areas requiring further deliberation. Both sides agreed to intensify efforts to achieve a fair and mutually beneficial agreement.
Agrawal reiterated India’s commitment to a trade pact that supports economic growth and development while ensuring balanced benefits for both parties. He also emphasized the importance of clarity and predictability in implementing new EU regulatory measures such as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and the proposed steel regulation.
Both sides expressed satisfaction with the progress achieved so far, noting that the discussions had helped narrow differences and build common understanding on several key issues. They underscored the need for continued engagement at the technical level in the coming weeks to bridge the remaining gaps.