Overview

• Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal confirmed the agreement will be operational from October 1 and said the government will host a launch event at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi with officials, EFTA ministers and industry representatives.
• Under the deal, India will cut tariffs to zero on about 80–85% of imports from EFTA, while Indian exporters will receive duty‑free access on roughly 99% of goods in EFTA markets.
• The four EFTA countries have pledged $100 billion of investment over 15 years—$50 billion in the first decade and $50 billion in the following five years—with the government estimating around one million direct jobs.
• Sectors deemed sensitive, notably agriculture and dairy, are excluded from the tariff concessions to protect domestic producers.
• Officials say an EFTA business delegation is expected in New Delhi on October 1 to outline initial investment plans, as India also continues separate FTA talks with partners including the US, EU, New Zealand, Oman, Peru and Chile.