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EU-India

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


Trade Invaders - how big business is driving the EU-India free trade talks
This video illustrates how, in the EU-India FTA negotiations, the EU Commission and the Indian government have handed the agenda over to corporate lobby groups. This big-business-first agenda will put at risk the livelihoods of millions of small farmers, street traders and patients.
EU Commission uses business summit and aid money to push EU-India free trade talks
As business leaders meet for the EU-India business summit in Brussels this week, a report by Corporate Europe Observatory (CEO) revealed today that the EU Commission is using the event to actively orchestrate big business support for the EU-India free trade agreement, despite criticism from small businesses and people’s movements
Video clips: Briefing on EU-India FTA
The Forum against FTAs organised a briefing meeting to raise concerns and interact with Communist Party of India Member of Parliament, D. Raja and Green Party Member of the European Parliament, Ms Franziska Keller. We have made a set of 8 clips that give an account of the issues raised during the briefing meeting.
Drug cos want IP issues kept out of pact with EU
Unhappy with the absence of "open discussion" on the FTA, the Indian Drug Manufacturers’ Association has said that intellectual property related issues should not be part of the FTA.
No India-EU free trade accord during PM’s visit
The much-awaited free trade agreement (FTA) between India and the European Union is unlikely to be ready for inking when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visits Brussels for a summit with the 27-nation bloc Friday, German Ambassador Thomas Matussek said here on Monday.
Rally protests EU-India trade pact which may cause end of generic drugs
Marking strong protest against the proposed signing of the European Union-India Free Trade Agreement on IP Provision, a mass protest rally was taken out today jointly by the Centre for Social Development in collaboration with organisation working on drugs and HIV/AIDS, North East Diaglogue Forum, Women Action for Development and Bosco Mangal, Chingmeirong Don Bosco Society, Imphal.
Rally against EU-India Free Trade Agreement held at Moirang
A mass rally cum public meeting was held today at Moirang in protest against the proposed EU-India Free Trade Agreement and Violence against Women which was jointly organized by the North East Dialogue Forum, New Life Foundation, Social Action Platform, Women Group against Discrimination and Women Action for Development.
Economic liberalisation and gender dynamics in traditional small-scale fisheries: Reflections on the proposed EU-India free trade agreement
This new report from Focus on the Global South in collaboration with Intercultural Resources explores the dynamics within traditional small scale fisheries in the context of the controversial negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and India.
Stepped-up talks revive hope of India-EU FTA
With the pressure on for the European Union (EU) and India to come up with a significant announcement at the upcoming EU-India summit on December 10, a flurry of activity surrounding the ongoing negotiations for a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) is giving momentum to the process.
India, EU to hold talks to seal trade pact
India’s Commerce and Trade Minister Anand Sharma and EU trade commissioner Karel De Gucht will meet in Brussels on Monday to take stock of the negotiations for a comprehensive trade agreement, the PTI news agency reported.