New Delhi: With the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) concluded, focus now shifts to the proposed trade pact between India and the European Union (EU). The Centre confirmed on Friday that negotiations for the India-EU FTA have been underway since June 2022, and 12 rounds have been completed—the most recent in July 2025.
Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Jitin Prasada, informed the Rajya Sabha in a written response that India’s merchandise exports to the EU have grown steadily over the past five years, rising from $41.36 billion in FY 2020–21 to $75.76 billion in FY 2024–25.
The government is aiming to finalize the India-EU free trade deal by the end of 2025.
Similarly, India’s merchandise exports to the United States have also increased—from $51.6 billion in FY 2020–21 to $86.5 billion in FY 2024–25, Prasada added.
India recently signed a Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CEPA) with the UK, following successful negotiations.
The upcoming months will be critical for India’s global trade strategy, as the government ramps up negotiations with key partners, including the EU and ASEAN nations.
In the India-EU FTA talks, both sides have exchanged market access offers for goods and services. Some chapters of the agreement have been finalized, while negotiations are ongoing for the remaining contentious sections. The next round of talks is scheduled to be held in India in the first week of September.
To speed up the process, both parties have agreed to initially finalize an interim agreement.
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal recently highlighted the significance of the India-EU trade deal, calling it a step towards deepening economic ties and fostering inclusive growth.
During the India-Sweden High-Level Trade and Investment Policy Forum in Stockholm, Goyal—alongside Swedish industry leaders and Indian businesses—emphasized the vast opportunities for collaboration between the two regions.
With inputs from IANS