Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal held discussions with European Union Trade and Economic Security Commissioner Maros Sefcovic in Brussels, marking another significant step toward concluding a mutually beneficial India-EU Free Trade Agreement. The meeting reflects the growing momentum behind negotiations as both sides work to resolve outstanding issues and move closer to a comprehensive deal.
According to Goyal, the dialogue covered several critical components of the proposed agreement. He reiterated India’s commitment to a rules-based global trading system and emphasized the need for a modern economic partnership that protects the interests of farmers and micro, small, and medium enterprises while enabling Indian industries to integrate more effectively into global supply chains. India is actively seeking zero-duty access for labor-intensive sectors, including textiles, leather, apparel, gems and jewelry, and handicrafts, which are seen as key drivers of employment and exports.
The minister’s visit highlights the intensifying diplomatic and technical engagement between India and the European Union. These interactions are aimed at offering strategic direction to negotiating teams, addressing unresolved concerns, and accelerating progress toward a balanced and forward-looking agreement. The latest ministerial-level talks build on a week of detailed discussions in Brussels involving senior officials from both sides.
Earlier in the week, India’s Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal held meetings with the European Commission’s Director-General for Trade, Sabine Weyand, laying the groundwork for the current phase of negotiations. Together, these engagements underscore the importance both sides attach to reaching a consensus on key trade and investment issues.
The India-EU trade negotiations come at a pivotal moment in bilateral economic relations. Talks were formally re-launched in June 2022 after a gap of more than nine years, signaling renewed political will to deepen economic cooperation. Since then, the two sides have completed fourteen rounds of negotiations, along with multiple high-level ministerial dialogues, including a meeting in December 2025.
Both India and the EU have expressed strong confidence in delivering a comprehensive agreement that reflects modern economic realities. The European Union remains India’s largest trading partner and a major source of investment, with bilateral trade in goods seeing notable growth in the 2024–25 financial year. The proposed agreement is envisioned not merely as a trade arrangement, but as a long-term strategic partnership designed to strengthen economic resilience and shared prosperity.
