Khmer Times | 7 January 2026

France, Germany, Poland push for swift EU-India free trade deal

by AFP

France, Germany, and Poland on Wednesday called for the swift signing of a free trade deal between the EU and India, describing it as a “decisive step” in relations, the French foreign minister said.

“A major agreement between the EU and India is expected to be finalised in the coming weeks, with a summit dedicated to it at the end of January,” Jean-Noel Barrot said at a briefing alongside German, Polish, and Indian counterparts.

It marks a “decisive step in the strategic rapprochement between our two regions,” he added. India and the EU have been negotiating the deal for some time. A summit is planned for January 27.

“It is very important that we swiftly sign a free-trade agreement between the European Union and India,” said Foreign minister Radoslaw Sikorski.

His German counterpart, Johann Wadephul, said it was “an important step towards greater diversification” and added that a security and defence partnership was “also on the right track”. He said the need to “reduce dependencies so as not to make ourselves vulnerable to blackmail”.

The two sides aimed to finalise a deal before the end of 2025, amidst global trade tensions among major powers.

The EU is already India’s largest trading partner, accounting for €124 billion ($130 billion) in goods trade in 2023—more than 12% of India’s total trade, according to Brussels. The bloc is pushing for a trade agreement that reduces entry barriers for its cars, spirits, and wines, while New Delhi seeks easier access for its textiles and pharmaceuticals. The agreement would also include security provisions.