The two parties expressed the optimism that the agreement, once concluded, will help improve market access, support regulatory cooperation and promote innovation and competitiveness on both sides. | Photo credit: Microstockhub
India has ceased to focus on sorting the non-pricing obstacles faced by exporters only on the reduction of prices to ensure significant progress in the current talks on the Indian-EU (ALE) free trade agreement (ALE), according to the Commerce Department.
The Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, met Brussels on Thursday, the European Commissioner for Commercial Security and the Economy, Maroš Šefčovič, in Brussels, and both reaffirmed their intention to conclude AFT negotiations in India-EU at the end of 2025, according to a declaration published by the Department of Commerce on Friday.
“The two parties reiterated their objective of solving the problems pending in a spirit of mutual respect and pragmatism, including in the next round planned to be held from May 12 to 16, 2025 in New Delhi,” noted the press release.
EU countries have average rates much lower than India, but non -tariff barriers, such as quality standards and regulatory obstacles, are high. The full potential of an ALE with the block can only be made by Indian exporters that if the non -tariff barriers are lowered so that they do not interfere with the market, according to officials.
“India has stressed that significant progress in commercial negotiations require equal emphasis on non -tariff obstacles alongside tariff discussions and regulatory managers must be inclusive, proportionate and avoid trade,” the press release said.
high level commitment
The commitment of the Indian Minister and the European Commissioner to quickly conclude that the ALE is based on the strategic orientation given by the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen during the visit of the college of EU commissioners in New Delhi, in February 2025.
The high -level engagement between Goyal and Šefčovič, underlines the strategic importance that the two partners attach to the construction of a commercially significant, mutually beneficial, balanced, equitable commercial partnership that supports economic resilience and inclusive growth, the press release said. “The meeting underlined the progress made on several negotiating avenues and stressed the importance of maintaining continuous dynamics thanks to monthly negotiation rounds and a continuous virtual commitment,” he added.
The two parties expressed the optimism that the agreement, once concluded, will help improve market access, support regulatory cooperation and promote innovation and competitiveness on both sides.
Ale talks between India and EU began in 2007, but reached a dead end in 2013 on problems such as market access for specific products, in particular cars and wines and spirits. In June 2022, India and the EU restarted the talks.
Posted on May 2, 2025
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