Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal concluded a three-day visit to Brussels, where India and the European Union initiated negotiations to reach a mutually beneficial, balanced and fair trade agreement.During the visit which lasted from October 26 to 28, Goyal held in-depth discussions with Maros Sefcovic, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, as well as senior officials from his office.
Both sides aim to finalize the free trade agreement by the end of this year.The talks were described as productive, with both sides examining unresolved areas within the negotiations and identifying what they called “possible landing zones” on outstanding issues.The move comes months after Prime Minister Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen gave joint instructions to negotiators during the College of Commissioners’ visit to New Delhi in February 2025. According to a press release from the ministry, the negotiations focused on building a balanced and fair trade agreement, which respects the fundamental sensitivities of each party. India stressed that the FTA must address tariff and non-tariff barriers and lead to transparent and predictable regulatory standards that would promote smoother trade in the years to come.Much of the discussion focused on non-tariff measures and new European regulations, an area where India has raised concerns. The minister also reiterated the need for India to enjoy preferential treatment in sectors that are labour-intensive and crucial for export-led growth. Both sides agreed to work together to conclude discussions on non-sensitive industrial tariff lines.However, some sectors such as steel, automotive, Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and other EU regulatory frameworks remain unresolved and still require further negotiations. India highlighted that it views the FTA as an opportunity to build a forward-looking partnership based on shared innovation, meaningful market access and trade that contributes to peace and prosperity.To continue the discussions, the European Union technical delegation, led by the Director General of Trade, will arrive in the country next week.
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