- Negotiations
The European Union and India launched negotiations on a bilateral free trade and investment agreement in June 2007. However, between the governments, a number of controversies have been plaguing the talks. Delhi wants Brussels to relax its stringent food safety criteria which penalise Indian farm and fishery exports and to make it easier for Indian professionals to work in the EU. Europe is primarily out to win major openings of India’s services sector and broad liberalisation of foreign investment, while India does not want to discuss allowing European firms to compete in India’s government procurement market.
Indian social movements, including fisherfolk and labour unions, people living with HIV/AIDS and other health activists have been mobilizing against the FTA. International actions and campaigns have particularly targeted the proposed intellectual property provisions of the agreement, and the impact of the FTA on access to medicines.
last update: May 2012
Photo: MSF
8-Sep-2025
The Tribune
India and the European Union are set to hold the 13th round of talks for a Free Trade Agreement in New Delhi beginning Monday, marking a critical step towards finalising the trade pact by the end of this year.
4-Sep-2025
The Wire
Germany reaffirms strong support for the EU-India Free Trade Agreement, seeking to boost bilateral trade from €31 billion to €60 billion, and urges dialogue over tariffs, calling predictability and partnership vital in uncertain times.
1-Sep-2025
CNBCTV18
India and the EU are pursuing a two-stage approach to finalise an FTA, apart from a bilateral investment protection agreement and recognition of geographical indications (GIs) with the 27-member bloc.
21-Jul-2025
Business Standard
India and the European Union (EU) have reached an in-principle agreement on the contentious digital trade chapter, marking a key step toward concluding a free trade agreement, though “substantial differences” remain over trade and sustainable development provisions.
16-Jul-2025
Live Mint
India and the EU are preparing for FTA negotiations in September, following the 12th round of talks in Brussels. Key discussion topics included services and market access. Both parties aim to finalise the agreement by year-end, potentially increasing India’s competitiveness in EU markets.
13-Jun-2025
Business Standard
The focus of India and the EU negotiation is now on easing regulatory hurdles to facilitate smoother trade, especially for key Indian exports facing high EU barriers, such as chillies, tea, Basmati rice, and dairy products.
12-Jun-2025
The Economic Times
India and the EU concluded five chapters, including intellectual property and trade facilitation, during the 11th round of FTA talks in New Delhi. Discussions also addressed easing certification processes under India’s Quality Control Orders.
4-Jun-2025
The Economic Times
India and the European Union are likely to agree upon a comprehensive free trade agreement instead of an interim deal, an official said.
26-May-2025
The Economic Times
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has met European Commissioner for Trade Maros Sefcovic in Brussels, their second meeting within a month, to discuss the proposed free trade agreement.
22-May-2025
The Economic Times
Negotiations for a proposed trade pact between India and the 27-nation European Union are progressing at a faster pace and both the sides are looking at concluding the talks for an early harvest trade agreement by July this year.
