India, EU step up trade talks; key delegation reaches Delhi

Negotiations on the proposed India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) gathered fresh momentum on Monday with a senior team of European Union negotiators arriving in New Delhi for a five-day round of talks aimed at bridging gaps and advancing the long-pending pact toward a balanced conclusion.

According to the Commerce Ministry, the discussions seek to iron out key differences on trade in goods and services, rules of origin, and other technical and institutional issues.

“Both sides are working toward a ‘modern and equitable’ framework that supports mutual growth and economic cooperation,” a senior ministry official said.

The visit follows Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal’s trip to Brussels on October 27-28, where he held detailed talks with Maros Sefcovic, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security.

The ongoing deliberations also gained impetus after a virtual meeting on Monday between Goyal and EU commissioners Sefcovic and Christophe Hansen.

As per the ministry, director-general for trade at the European Commission Sabine Weyand will hold high-level consultations with India’s Commerce Secretary Rajesh Aggarwal on November 5-6 to review technical and policy aspects of the negotiations.

The official said the EU delegation’s visit reflected the shared resolve of India and the EU to conclude a fair and forward-looking FTA.

Meanwhile, seeking to give a fresh push to bilateral trade ties, India and New Zealand on Monday opened the fourth round of negotiations on the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in Auckland, aiming to lay the groundwork for an early and equitable conclusion to the long-discussed pact.

The talks, scheduled from November 3 to 7, will focus on key areas such as trade in goods and services and rules of origin.