Business World | 12 May 2025

India, EU to hold next round of talks on proposed FTA

In an attempt to wind up the first phase of the pact as early as possible, India and the European Union (EU) chief negotiators will begin the next round of talks on the proposed free trade agreement (FTA) from Monday, as per media reports.

On account of the uncertain global trade environment, especially due to the recent United States (US) tariff actions, the two sides have agreed to wind up the agreement in two phases. The reports added that the EU team will be arriving here for the 11th round of negotiations which will go on till 16 May.

With both sides eyeing to wrap up the second part by the end of this year, the reports highlighted that the areas where there is convergence will be included in the first part of the agreement. Earlier, areas like investment, government procurement and others were the key focus during the talks for the 10th round.

The reports noted that India’s commerce secretary, Sunil Barthwal, stated that it is better to focus on the core trade issues first, if some of the areas that are not very core to trade are taking time. The EU seeks tax reductions in products like wines, spirits, meat, poultry, apart from its demand for duty cuts in automobiles and medical devices, as per the reports.