The chief negotiator of India of the Commission questioned the fact of sealing a complete free trade agreement with India by the end of the year, citing difficult negotiations in key sectors such as spirits and cars.
Christophe Kiener admitted deputies of deputies on Wednesday that New Delhi could force the EU to “readjust” his commercial approach to respect the 2025 deadline.
“It is quite obvious that we are not going to finalize a full-fledged free trade agreement to the New Zealand with India in the next 10 months, “he said, stressing that their approach to trade differs fundamentally beyond size or geography.
Kiener said that the chairman of the Ursula von der Leyen commission and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had set up an “extremely ambitious calendar” and that the negotiations quickly accelerated. “We have come when we have to make difficult decisions,” he told MEPS.
The talks last week in Brussels were “extremely difficult” on the goods trade.
While India recently cut us off Bourbon prices From 50% to facilitate tensions with Washington, the EU has known “no improvement” on key sectors such as spirits, wines and beers – has always struck with 150% prices – during recent discussions. The number blocked talks in 2013, added Kiener.
On cars, India made some concessions, but Kiener said that the import volumes offered were too small, both in relation to the India market and past negotiations.
The rules of origin remain another bonding point. HHe described India and the EU as coming from “two different galaxies”, noting that the high prices of India create a strong “fraud temptation” in the exploitation of commercial preferences.
On trade and sustainable development, he said that progress has been made, but that India is “in no way able” to accept the durability rules that other business partners have accepted. “So, no sanction, no dispute settlement, no legally binding provision, no involvement of civil society,” he added.
Regarding the new EU environment and climate legislation, he added that India had requested exemptions or long transition periods on regulations ranging from the CBAM and the EU anti -defore settlement to the reasonable diligence directive.
India has also required exemptions or long transition periods for the Green EU rules, including the CBAM and the EU anti-de-de-deferestment regulations. “The Indian chief negotiator has been very clear that as we do something concrete for them on CBAM, there will be no agreement between the EU and India,” said Kiener.
The next talks are scheduled for the beginning of May in New Delhi, followed by another round in June in Brussels. An EU-Indian summit is scheduled for the end of the year.
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