Sun May 11 17:27:40 UTC 2025: ## India and EU to Resume Free Trade Agreement Talks

**New Delhi, May 12, 2025** – India and the European Union (EU) will begin the 11th round of negotiations on their long-awaited free trade agreement (FTA) on Monday, May 12th. The talks, scheduled to last until May 16th, aim to finalize the first phase of the agreement as quickly as possible, according to an Indian official.

The two sides are pursuing a two-phased approach to the FTA due to global trade uncertainties. The first phase will focus on areas of agreement, with the second phase targeted for completion by the end of the year. Previous discussions centered on market access for goods, services, investments, and government procurement.

The EU is seeking significant duty reductions on automobiles, medical devices, wines, spirits, and meat, along with a robust intellectual property regime. India, in turn, hopes to boost exports of ready-made garments, pharmaceuticals, steel, and other goods to the EU market.

Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal recently emphasized prioritizing core trade issues in the negotiations. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal met with EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic in Brussels on May 1st to review progress. The negotiations, which resumed in June 2022 after an eight-year hiatus, cover 23 policy areas.

Bilateral trade between India and the EU reached $137.41 billion in 2023-24, making the EU India’s largest goods trading partner. In addition, bilateral trade in services was estimated at $51.45 billion in 2023. The two sides are also negotiating agreements on investment protection and geographical indications. This announcement follows the recent conclusion of FTA negotiations between India and the UK. The successful completion of the India-EU FTA is expected to significantly benefit both economies.

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