- 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
7-May-2021
Nikkei Asia
The European Union and India are set to discuss resuming long-suspended talks on a free trade agreement at a virtual summit on Saturday, the bloc’s foreign policy chief told Nikkei.
5-May-2021
EU Observer
The EU is suspending plans for a trade deal with China, while reviving those for a pact with India, in a dispute on Chinese human-rights abuses.
4-May-2021
The Eurasian Times
India and the European Union are making joint efforts to seal a “connectivity agreement”, which could be an answer to China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
19-Apr-2021
The Economic Times
The India-EU Summit in Porto early next month could see progress on a free trade agreement and treaties on investment protection and geographical indications.
14-Apr-2021
Financial Express
After a gap of about eight years, India and the EU will resume formal negotiations for a trade and investment agreement on May 8, with both sides aiming to expedite a deal to aid economic growth in the post-pandemic era.
29-Mar-2021
The HIndu Business Line
Even as the Centre is inching closer to sign a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) deal with the European Union (EU), India’s dairy sector has flagged some concerns involving livelihood scores of Indian farmers.
25-Mar-2021
The Indian Express
After successfully blocking milk product imports from New Zealand and Australia under the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement, the Indian dairy industry is mounting similar pressure vis-à-vis a free trade deal with the European Union (EU).
18-Mar-2021
Live Mint
India and the European Union (EU) may announce some progress in negotiations relating to a broad-based trade and investment agreement during the India-EU summit scheduled for 8 May.
19-Feb-2021
Euractiv
The European Commission said that it wants to “explore options” for expanding the EU’s trade and investment with India.
11-Feb-2021
Hellenic Shipping News
India - EU trade negotiations are likely to run into the same problems as the discussions that began on a comprehensive free trade agreement in 2007 but were aborted due to differences on movement of professionals, labour, human rights and environmental issues and other issues.
