EU team arrives in India as push for free trade agreement intensifies
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India and the European Union are accelerating efforts to conclude their long-pending Free Trade Agreement, with a 40-member EU negotiating team scheduled to arrive in New Delhi on Thursday for a fresh round of high-level discussions.
The visit, confirmed by EU Ambassador to India Hervé Delphin at the World Annual Conclave 2025, reflects a renewed political push from both sides to seal the deal before the end of the year.
The delegation will hold detailed talks with senior officials in the commerce ministry, including meetings with Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal. Over the weekend, EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič is expected to meet Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal. The ministerial engagement is seen as a crucial step toward resolving the remaining contentious issues in the negotiations.
Talks between India and the EU resumed recently after a long pause.
According to Ambassador Delphin, negotiations have reached an advanced phase, with 11 of the 23 chapters already concluded and several others close to finalisation. He said both sides have demonstrated strong political will to complete the agreement this year, describing the FTA as a central pillar of the future economic partnership.
However, key gaps remain.
These include market access for European automobiles, where the EU is pushing for tariff liberalisation, and commitments in services and investment, particularly India’s concerns related to mobility. Technical Barriers to Trade, which cover standards and conformity requirements, also remain unresolved.
Another sensitive issue is the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, where India has sought transparency and predictability in its application.
The upcoming meetings are expected to focus on narrowing these differences, with both sides indicating a readiness to make calibrated compromises in order to secure an agreement.
If concluded, the India-EU FTA would be among India’s most significant trade deals and could open new opportunities in goods, services, green technology, digital trade and manufacturing.