- 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
9-Feb-2012
Several difficult issues need to be resolved if India is not to be short-changed in the Bilateral Trade and Investment Agreement with the EU.
8-Feb-2012
PTI
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Wednesday asked the government not to conclude any "binding" Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the European Union till all issues were discussed with representatives of the sectors which could be adversely affected.
8-Feb-2012
The Star
Some 50 Anti-FTA Coalition members staged a protest at the European Commission’s office in Kuala Lumpur Wednesday, urging it to stop promoting what they allege are dangerous trade policies that would threaten the lives of millions across the developing world.
8-Feb-2012
Don’t Trade Our Lives Away
Ahead of India-EU Summit, DNP+ members delivered coffins to European Commission’s office today with a demand to refuse the provisions from the draft text of India-EU FTA that will impact the access to medicines.
7-Feb-2012
ACT-UP Paris
Supporting the ongoing Global Week of Action on the EU-India FTA, Pauline Londeix of Act Up-Paris today confronted the European Commission for Trade, Karel de Gucht at a “Civil Society dialogue on Trade, Growth and development” at the European Commission. De Gucht reportedly leaves for India tomorrow for the EU-India Summit on 10th February 2012 where the E.C. is putting pressure on the Indian government to announce political trade-offs in the EU-India FTA.
6-Feb-2012
Reuters
Hopes of India and the European Union striking a free trade deal at a summit this week are fading fast, with differences over duties on cars and market access for software and service companies standing in the way of an accord.
1-Feb-2012
Business Standard
Interview with European Union`s ambassador to India
31-Jan-2012
Times of India
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has convened a meeting of external affairs minister S M Krishna and commerce and industry minister Anand Sharma this week ahead of the India-EU Summit on February 10.
29-Jan-2012
India and the European Union (EU) today said they are making steady progress towards concluding the ambitious bilateral trade opening pact on goods, services and investment.
29-Jan-2012
Europe’s carmakers are crying foul over a proposed free-trade agreement between the European Union and India, which they say would restrict access to one of the most important but highly protected markets.
