## India and European Union Strengthen Commitment to Free Trade Agreement
On Thursday, India and the European Union reaffirmed their dedication to finalize negotiations for a free trade agreement by the end of this year. This commitment followed a series of “productive” discussions during Union Minister Piyush Goyal’s recent visit to Brussels.
Goyal is currently traveling across three European nations. In addition to his meetings in Brussels, he has engaged with officials in the UK and Norway to discuss FTA negotiations pertaining to those regions.
Maroลก ล efฤoviฤ, the European Commissioner for Trade, expressed optimism about the progress being made, saying that both parties are making significant strides toward a balanced and mutually advantageous agreement. He emphasized the urgency to finalize the deal by the year’s end, highlighting that it would enhance market access for both goods and services.
Minister Goyal also expressed his commitment to completing the FTA negotiations by the end of 2025. He announced that the next round of discussions is scheduled to occur in New Delhi from May 12 to 16.
Both Goyal and ล efฤoviฤ underlined the importance of addressing outstanding issues during the talks. They noted that equal attention would be given to tariffs and non-tariff measures, aiming to create meaningful market access while being mindful of the economic sensitivities in certain sectors.
Goyal further explained that the agreement aims to improve market access and align regulatory practices between India and the EU, which would also facilitate increased investments. He mentioned that discussions around investments and mobility are crucial for shaping a future-ready agreement.
In a tweet, Goyal highlighted the productive dialogue he had with ล efฤoviฤ, reiterating their mutual commitment to concluding the India-EU Free Trade Agreement negotiations by the end of 2025.
