Outstanding issues in India–EU FTA talks narrow after Piyush Goyal’s Brussels visit

Outstanding issues in India–EU FTA talks narrow after Piyush Goyal’s Brussels visit

The latest round of talks between India’s Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and Maroš Šefčovič, the European Union’s Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, have significantly narrowed the outstanding issues, paving the way for a mutually beneficial free trade agreement (FTA).

“The negotiations and discussions have laid the foundation for a robust and balanced agreement, which will significantly support businesses on both sides and add to the potential for mutual growth,” Goyal said on October 28.

These talks were held during Goyal’s two-day visit to Brussels on 27–28 October 2025 wherein he held discussions with EU’s Maroš Šefčovič.

Goyal added that the negotiations and discussions have laid the foundation for a robust and balanced agreement, which will significantly support businesses on both sides and add to the potential for mutual growth.

“We have touched upon more sensitive issues, but of course further work is required…I am glad to report we have been able to progress substantially across a number of areas. On industrial tariffs we have given concrete guidance to our teams,” Šefčovič said.

During the 13th round of talks held in New Delhi little progress was seen in sensitive sectors such as automotives and agricultural products, though both sides cited better clarity on their market access demands for industrial and farm goods.

The 14th round of talks for the FTA took place in Brussels between October 6-10 with discussions covering 12 policy chapters across 91 technical sessions, with a focus on areas such as market access for goods, services and rules of origin.

Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal on October 15 had said that the proposed FTA between India and the European Union is presently in the last leg of negotiations and “chances are talks may close by December.”

A delegation from the European Union will be in New Delhi next week to further talks for the proposed trade deal between India and the 27-nation bloc.

In February 2025, India and the EU decided to ramp up talks for the proposed free trade agreement, targeting to close it by the end of 2025 to tide over ongoing disruptions from volatile trade policies.