India Accelerates EU Trade Deal Talks Amid Rising Export Pressures
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With external trade pressures mounting and the window for securing crucial market access narrowing, India is intensifying efforts to conclude its long-pending trade agreement with the European Union (EU). According to officials, the government has instructed its legal teams involved in drafting the agreement to avoid taking leave until the deal is finalized, reflecting the urgency at the highest levels.
The push comes at a time when Indian goods exports are facing fresh headwinds. The United States has imposed steep 50 percent tariffs on several categories, and New Delhi’s trade agreement with Washington remains unresolved. In this environment, the EU pact is viewed as a strategic priority that could open stable, long-term access to one of India’s largest trading partners.
Out of the 23 negotiated chapters, 10 have been closed. However, some of the most sensitive areas remain under discussion. These include rules of origin, which determine eligibility for tariff benefits, and market access commitments—particularly in agriculture, where both sides have strong defensive interests.
A key EU delegation is scheduled to be in New Delhi on December 3, marking another high-level engagement intended to accelerate the process. Ahead of this visit, negotiating teams on both sides are holding intensified rounds to resolve outstanding differences. A virtual stocktaking meeting between Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal and Sabine Weyand, Director-General for Trade at the European Commission, took place on Friday, underscoring the momentum toward a final agreement.
India aims to conclude the negotiations by next month, though several complex issues still require political alignment and technical clarity. Both partners, however, appear committed to pushing the talks forward as they enter what officials describe as the “final lap” of negotiations.
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