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**India and EU Aim to Finalize Free Trade Deal Amidst Broadening Strategic Ties**

**New Delhi – September 8, 2025** – India and the European Union are intensifying efforts to finalize their ambitious free trade agreement (FTA) by the end of the year, with two crucial rounds of negotiations scheduled within the next month. High-level talks are planned as both sides seek to bridge differences on key issues such as rules of origin, market access, and tariffs on wine and dairy products. European Commission’s agriculture commissioner Christophe Hansen and trade chief Maros Sefcovic are due to visit India this week.

The EU is currently India’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade in goods reaching $135 billion in the financial year 2023-24. Beyond the trade deal, India and the EU are also working on transformative initiatives, including a new politico-strategic vision and frameworks to expand defense cooperation.

The EU is scheduled to unveil its new strategic vision for its relationship with India on September 17, which is expected to be formally adopted at the India-EU annual summit early next year. A series of high-level meetings are planned in the coming months, including a visit to India by the EU’s Political and Security Committee and counter-terror talks in Brussels. The EU-India Trade and Technology Council (TTC) is also expected to meet in November, and the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, is planning a visit to India later this year or early next year.

While eleven chapters of the FTA negotiations have been concluded, including areas like customs, dispute settlement, and digital trade, disagreements on rules of origin and market access remain. Both sides remain optimistic about resolving outstanding issues.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and top EU leaders recently reaffirmed their commitment to finalizing the trade deal soon, emphasizing the importance of the India-EU partnership for global stability and a rules-based order. Defence cooperation is also high on the agenda, with negotiations underway on a security of information agreement and other frameworks aimed at increasing joint development of military equipment.

The TTC, established in 2022, serves as a key platform for collaboration on critical technologies, including artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and cybersecurity.

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