Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal on Monday said that India and the European Union have concluded official-level negotiations on the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which is expected to be announced later today. The agreement aims to boost bilateral trade and further strengthen economic ties between the two sides.
Mr Agrawal described the deal as balanced and forward-looking from India’s perspective, noting that it would support deeper economic integration with the EU and help drive trade and investment in both economies.
The announcement will be made during the 16th India–EU Summit, which is being hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and President of the European Council Antonio Costa are in India to hold summit talks with the Prime Minister.
Vice President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas said that the EU–India Security and Defence Partnership will also be signed today. She noted that there is strong momentum for closer cooperation with India and that the EU is actively building on it.
As a symbol of the deepening relationship, personnel from EU naval operations Atalanta and Aspides participated in the Republic Day parade for the first time. President von der Leyen and President Costa, who were Chief Guests at the 77th Republic Day celebrations, are on a State Visit to India and will co-chair the summit today.
