India-EU FTA negotiations intensify, Piyush Goyal set to meet his counterpart in Brussels

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal will visit Brussels on October 27-28 to hold high-level discussions with his European Union (EU) counterpart to provide “strategic direction and political impetus” to the ongoing negotiations on a free trade agreement between India and the European Union.

At the same time, a delegation from the European Parliament’s Trade Committee will visit New Delhi from October 27 to 29 to strengthen “mutual understanding in the context of intense trade negotiations between the EU and India.”

According to the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Mr. Goyal’s visit to Brussels and his meeting with Maroš Šefčovič, Executive Vice President and European Trade Commissioner of the European Union, comes at a “crucial stage” in the FTA negotiations.

“Building on the momentum generated by the 14th round of negotiations held earlier this month, the minister’s visit aims to provide strategic direction and political impetus to the talks,” the ministry said in a statement.

The Hindu, on October 16, reported that although discussions were ongoing between India and the EU, the next formal round of negotiations had not yet been finalized as the issues delaying the agreement required continued communication rather than waiting for a formal round.

These issues included market access, regulatory cooperation and agricultural sensitivities.

“Discussions are expected to cover key areas of the proposed FTA, including market access, non-tariff measures and regulatory cooperation,” the statement added. “The visit will also serve to review progress made so far and identify areas requiring further convergence.”

Mr. Goyal will hold a bilateral meeting with Mr. Šefčovič, which will be followed by a working dinner. This will not be considered a formal round of negotiations, but a continuation of the discussions.

European team in India

The Commerce Committee delegation will include seven members of the European Parliament, according to a press release issued by the European Parliament.

“The main objective of this visit is to contribute to increasing our mutual understanding in the context of intense trade negotiations between the EU and India,” delegation co-heads Cristina Maestre and Brando Benifei said in a joint statement. “The mission comes at a good time, just months before the deadline to conclude negotiations on a free trade agreement by the end of 2025.”

During its visit to India, the delegation will meet various stakeholders to receive “first-hand information on the opportunities and challenges posed by these trade negotiations”, the statement said.

“INTA members are expected to hold various meetings at ministerial and parliamentary level,” he adds. “Members will meet with the Federation of European Business in India and the Confederation of Indian Industry.”

The statement further said that further meetings will be held with civil society working on sustainability issues and with representatives of workers and employers and organizations working on labor rights.