Sun Feb 15 05:19:22 UTC 2026: ### India Finalizes EU Trade Deal, Finance Minister Seeks Investment in Germany

The Story:

Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman concluded a series of meetings in Munich, Germany on February 14, 2026, securing the finalization of the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in January 2026. Sitharaman engaged with key figures, including Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank (ECB), to discuss the ECB’s role in facilitating trade under the FTA. She also met with leaders from Liechtenstein and Germany to promote investment opportunities in India and discuss collaborations in various sectors.

Key Points:

  • The India-EU FTA was finalized in January 2026.
  • India will allow EU banks to open up to 15 branches over four years under the India-EU FTA framework, through the Union Budgets 2025-26 and 2026-27.
  • Discussions focused on investments in manufacturing, environment-friendly technology, agriculture-related equipment, and climate change.
  • Germany highlighted the success of India’s digital payment systems and expressed India’s willingness to share best practices on its digital public infrastructure and digital stack with Germany.
  • Sitharaman highlighted India’s focus on skilling and the announcements in the healthcare sector in the Union Budget 2026-27.

Key Takeaways:

  • The India-EU FTA represents a significant step towards strengthened economic ties and increased trade between India and the European Union.
  • India is actively seeking foreign investment to bolster its manufacturing sector, infrastructure, and technological advancements.
  • India is positioning itself as a global leader in digital payment systems and is willing to share its expertise with other nations.
  • Climate finance and green partnerships are becoming increasingly important areas of collaboration between India and European nations.
  • The Indian government emphasizes policy continuity and stability to attract long-term investments, highlighted by the Viksit Bharat vision for 2047.

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