European Trade Chief Expected In India Next Month As Both Sides Race To Unlock Massive Trade Potential Via FTA

European Commissioner for Trade Maros Sefcovic is expected to travel to India next month to review the progress of ongoing negotiations for the long-awaited free trade agreement (FTA) with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, reported PTI.

The visit is likely to coincide with the closing stages of the 13th round of talks scheduled in New Delhi from 8 September. With both sides committed to sealing the deal by the end of this year, the upcoming round is seen as a turning point.

“Quite a bit of movement should be there in this round of talks,” an official was quoted as saying, noting that certain outstanding issues may require ministerial intervention and political judgement.

The 12th round of negotiations was concluded in Brussels, where officials worked on narrowing differences across sensitive areas. While progress has been steady, several contentious issues remain on the table, making ministerial guidance crucial.

However, momentum was revived in June 2022, when negotiations were relaunched for three linked agreements. A broad-based FTA, an investment protection pact, and a framework on geographical indications (GIs).

On 28 February this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reaffirmed their commitment to wrap up the negotiations by December 2025, giving negotiators a tight window to settle the remaining hurdles.

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