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EU-India

The European Union and India launched negotiations on a bilateral free trade and investment agreement in June 2007. However, between the governments, a number of controversies have been plaguing the talks. Delhi wants Brussels to relax its stringent food safety criteria which penalise Indian farm and fishery exports and to make it easier for Indian professionals to work in the EU. Europe is primarily out to win major openings of India’s services sector and broad liberalisation of foreign investment, while India does not want to discuss allowing European firms to compete in India’s government procurement market.

Indian social movements, including fisherfolk and labour unions, people living with HIV/AIDS and other health activists have been mobilizing against the FTA. International actions and campaigns have particularly targeted the proposed intellectual property provisions of the agreement, and the impact of the FTA on access to medicines.

last update: May 2012
Photo: MSF

Five chapters finalised in India-EU FTA
The Economic Times | 12-Jun-2025
India and the EU concluded five chapters, including intellectual property and trade facilitation, during the 11th round of FTA talks in New Delhi. Discussions also addressed easing certification processes under India’s Quality Control Orders.
: EU , India
La UE e India reiteran su deseo de concluir las negociaciones del acuerdo de libre comercio este año
EFE | 11-Jun-2025
La alta representante de la Unión Europea para Asuntos Exteriores y el ministro indio de Exteriores reiteraron su deseo de concluir las negociaciones del acuerdo de libre comercio.
: China , EU
India, EU may go for comprehensive FTA; investment, GI pacts to follow later
The Economic Times | 4-Jun-2025
India and the European Union are likely to agree upon a comprehensive free trade agreement instead of an interim deal, an official said.
: EU , India , intellectual property , investment | BITs
Piyush Goyal meets EU counterpart for second time in a month on FTA talks
The Economic Times | 26-May-2025
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has met European Commissioner for Trade Maros Sefcovic in Brussels, their second meeting within a month, to discuss the proposed free trade agreement.
: EU , India
India, EU looking for early harvest trade agreement by July: Official
The Economic Times | 22-May-2025
Negotiations for a proposed trade pact between India and the 27-nation European Union are progressing at a faster pace and both the sides are looking at concluding the talks for an early harvest trade agreement by July this year.
: EU , India
Officials may visit Brussels for trade talks this week
The Tribune | 21-May-2025
An Indian official team from the Commerce Ministry is expected to visit Brussels this week for the next round of negotiations on the proposed free trade agreement with the European Union.
: EU , India