EU, India Open Intensive FTA Talks in New Delhi in Year-End Push

Overview

• Two-day face-to-face talks start Monday in New Delhi to advance an agreement spanning 23 chapters across goods, services, investment, intellectual property and geographical indications.
• The EU delegation is seeking to resolve sticking points on steel, carbon taxation, automobiles and non-tariff barriers under a year-end objective, with final closure possibly slipping into early 2026.
• India and the United States will open trade discussions in New Delhi on December 10 to move forward on a bilateral trade agreement.
• Indian officials say there is a very high chance of concluding free trade agreements with Oman and New Zealand this month, though formal sign-offs could follow later.
• The EU is pushing tariff cuts on autos, medical devices, wine, spirits and meat, while India is targeting stronger market access for exports such as garments, pharmaceuticals, steel and machinery.