Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal held high-level talks with European Union Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic on Tuesday, focusing on advancing the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and deepening bilateral trade ties. The discussions were aimed at guiding negotiating teams and expediting efforts to conclude the agreement at the earliest.
The meetings were held in the backdrop of technical discussions in New Delhi from December 3 to 9, covering key chapters of the proposed FTA, including Market Access for Goods, Rules of Origin, Services, Technical Barriers to Trade, and Trade and Sustainable Development.
On December 7, high-level consultations between India’s Commerce Secretary and the European Commission’s Director-General Trade had reinforced the commitment to intensify dialogue and collaboration for a timely and mutually beneficial conclusion.
During the engagement, both sides reviewed progress across negotiating tracks and stressed the importance of sustaining momentum through continued exchanges. Goyal and Sefcovic highlighted the strategic need to conclude a fair, balanced, and ambitious agreement that reflects shared economic priorities and a rules-based trading framework.
Anchored in the shared principles of prosperity, sustainability, and innovation, the visit concluded with both parties expressing confidence and a renewed determination to intensify efforts toward the early conclusion of a modern, comprehensive, and mutually beneficial agreement.
Sefcovic was on a two-day visit to India, during which he also held meetings with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
