Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal will visit Brussels on January 8-9 for a high-stakes visit aimed at accelerating negotiations on the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the European Union.
During his two-day trip, Goyal will meet with European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maroš Šefčovič.
According to the government, the ministerial discussions will focus on narrowing remaining differences in critical chapters of the proposed agreement and clarifying unresolved issues.
“The talks come at a historic moment for economic relations between India and the EU… The main objective of these interactions is to provide strategic guidance to the negotiating teams, resolve outstanding issues and accelerate the conclusion of a balanced and ambitious agreement,” the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said in a statement.
A key part of India’s approach is ensuring the deal delivers measurable benefits on the ground.
New Delhi is seeking duty-free market access for labor-intensive sectors such as textiles, leather, clothing, gems and jewelry, and handicrafts, which employ millions and are key to export-led growth.
The negotiations are also expected to reaffirm a shared commitment to a rules-based trading system and a modern economic partnership that protects the interests of farmers and micro, small and medium enterprises, while enabling Indian companies to integrate more deeply into global value chains.
Goyal’s visit follows a week of intensive technical discussions in Brussels, including meetings held on January 6 and 7 between Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal and the European Commission’s Director-General for Trade, Sabine Weyand.
India and the EU restarted FTA negotiations in June 2022 after a break of over nine years. Since then, 14 formal negotiation rounds and several ministerial-level dialogues have taken place, with the last interaction taking place in December 2025.
“This agreement is not only envisaged as a trade agreement, but as a global partnership, which responds to modern economic realities,” added the ministry.
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