India and the European Union have returned their long-standing free trade negotiations to the center of their partnership, reaffirming their shared goal of concluding FTA negotiations by the end of this year.
According to the joint statement issued at the end of the negotiations in Brussels, “the two sides reaffirmed their common ambition to conclude the negotiations on the free trade agreement by the end of this year and to accelerate the negotiations on the agreement on investment protection and the agreement on geographical indications”.
Broader strategic alignment with the Indo-Pacific and global order
Meeting in Brussels, the two sides also aligned on a vision of a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific, while emphasizing respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and the peaceful resolution of disputes.
Both sides reiterated their commitment to a rules-based international order and said their exchanges emphasize sovereignty, territorial integrity and peaceful resolution of disputes.
The agenda reflected a broader geopolitical landscape, with both sides emphasizing the need for a “comprehensive, just and lasting peace” in Ukraine and reiterating their support for the “Gaza Peace Plan” in the context of the current crisis.
Key meetings and economic focus areas
These discussions took place during the 11th India-EU Foreign Policy and Security Consultations and Sixth Strategic Partnership Review Meeting held on November 18-19.
The discussions covered economic security, supply chain resilience, trade and investment, the Global Gateway initiative, the India-EU connectivity partnership and the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), as well as cooperation in the areas of innovation, science and technology.
Both sides also highlighted the progress made under the India-EU Trade and Technology Council and said they looked forward to the next TTC ministerial meeting in Brussels in 2026.
Fight against terrorism and multilateral cooperation
The fight against terrorism remains a strong point of agreement, with the statement noting that both sides “unequivocally condemned terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism.”
The consultations also addressed broader global and regional issues, including humanitarian assistance, disaster resilience and cooperation within the multilateral system. The EU and India “took note of India’s upcoming BRICS presidency in 2026 and noted substantial points of convergence on global issues to be explored further.”
About The Author
