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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


India, EU free-trade talks stall despite 49% FDI in insurance
Talks between India and the European Union for a free-trade agreement are unlikely to take off any time soon, even though the new government has met a key EU demand by raising the ceiling for foreign direct investment in insurance companies to 49%.
Pulp friction: Indian mango ban prompts protest in Britain
“With a new Indian government expected to put long-stalled EU free trade talks at the top of its agenda, the mango ban could not have come at a worse time as it risks souring discussions before they even get going,” Allie Renison of business lobby group the Institute of Directors wrote in the Daily Telegraph.
’EU’s ban on Indian mangoes, vegetables could hit free trade talks’
The European Union’s decision to ban the import of Alphonso mangoes and four vegetables from India could derail EU-India free trade negotiations and weaken New Delhi’s relations with Brussels, according to the Europe India Chamber of Commerce (EICC).
India-European Union FTA talks to resume after new government: French Ambassador Francois Richier
Negotiations between India and the European Union for the free trade agreement (FTA) are expected to start after the new government assumes office, French Ambassador Francois Richier said today.
Need to expedite Indo-EU FTA after new govt comes: German Ambassador
The new Indian government should expedite negotiations on the Indo-European Union free trade agreement, says German Ambassador to India Michael Steiner.
‘EU-India FTA needs impact assessment by civil society’
The free trade agreement with India is in need of a thorough and objective impact assessment by civil society, Henri Malosse, President of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has said.
India-EU free trade pact likely to be signed next year
India and the European Union will have a free trade agreement most likely in the first half of 2015, EU Ambassador to India Joao Cravinho, said on Friday.
India-EU free trade pact not likely in 3-4 years: Think tank
India and the European Union are unlikely to ink a free trade pact in the next three to four years, a Belgium-based independent think tank, the European Centre for International Political Economy, has said. Echoing similar views, an MEP said, "It all depends on whether the Indian Parliament gets to pass the Insurance Bill in the Winter Session."
Ill-fated India-EU FTA gets new demand from Belgium
Belgium has demanded greater access to public procurement market for large-scale contracts under the proposed India-EU free trade agreement (FTA), whose fate already hangs in balance. The country also stressed on further tariff reduction on goods by India.
EU holds India responsible for delay in FTA talks
The European Union has blamed India for the delay in conclusion of the free trade agreement being negotiated by the two for the last six years.