India and EU Strengthen Ties Through Trade Talks in Brussels
High-Level Trade Discussions Between India and EU
New Delhi, Jan 9: Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal engaged in significant discussions with Maros Sefcovic, the EU Trade and Economic Security Commissioner, in Brussels on Friday. This meeting is part of ongoing efforts to establish a mutually advantageous India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
Goyal stated on X, "We discussed various critical aspects of the proposed agreement, reaffirming our dedication to a rules-based trading system and a contemporary economic partnership that protects the interests of farmers and MSMEs while facilitating the integration of Indian industries into global supply chains."
India is advocating for zero-duty access for its labor-intensive sectors, including textiles, leather, apparel, gems and jewelry, and handicrafts.
The minister's visit highlights the growing diplomatic and technical collaborations between India and the EU.
The main goal of these discussions is to offer strategic direction to the negotiating teams, address outstanding issues, and accelerate the finalization of a balanced and ambitious agreement.
This ministerial engagement follows a week of thorough discussions in Brussels, building on the groundwork established during earlier high-level talks between India's Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal and the European Commission's Director-General for Trade, Sabine Weyand.
These talks occur at a pivotal moment for India-EU economic relations. The negotiations were ambitiously re-launched in June 2022 after a nine-year pause, indicating a renewed commitment to enhance economic integration. Since then, 14 rounds of negotiations and several high-level ministerial dialogues have taken place, with the most recent interaction occurring in December 2025, as per an official statement.
Both India and the EU have shown strong political will to achieve a comprehensive agreement. The forthcoming discussions are anticipated to reinforce both parties' commitment to a rules-based trading framework and a modern economic partnership that protects the interests of farmers and MSMEs while integrating Indian industries into global supply chains.
The European Union stands as India's largest trading partner and a significant investor, with bilateral trade in goods experiencing substantial growth in the 2024-25 financial year. This agreement is envisioned not merely as a trade deal but as a comprehensive partnership that addresses contemporary economic realities.