The EU has stated that the negotiating teams are working hard to deliver a mutually beneficial deal, despite the fact that negotiations are difficult and important issues must be resolved. The 14th round of talks for the India-EU FTA begins on Monday in Brussels.

Key Highlights

• India and EU commence 14th round of FTA talks in Brussels, aiming for year-end agreement.
• EU Ambassador Delphin emphasizes unresolved issues; both sides committed to concluding a balanced deal.

Speaking about the importance of the India-EU economic partnership, EU Ambassador Herve Delphin stated that EU companies in India generated a total turnover of 186 billion euros in 2024, accounting for approximately 5% of the Indian economy, and exported goods worth 23.5 billion euros, accounting for approximately 6% of total Indian exports.

He also stated that the EU and India are negotiating an Investment Protection Agreement with the goal of creating a predictable, secure, and transparent environment for EU and Indian investors, thereby contributing to the Indian economy's need for higher levels of FDI.

"While some differences must be resolved, the EU and India agree on two key principles: the right of states to regulate must be explicitly protected, and tribunals must be given clear guidance on how to interpret investment protection standards. These shared principles should guide us through the negotiation process to a successful conclusion," he stated.

The ambassador stated that the 13th round of FTA talks last month did not result in the anticipated breakthrough. "The EU was and is still ready to reach an agreement on a meaningful package. We look forward to the next round and further negotiations to reach a mutually beneficial agreement," he said.

Also Read: India-EFTA FTA Begins Oct 1; New Pacts with US & EU Soon

"The FTA can create conditions for significant increases in bilateral trade and investment between the EU and India, opening up new opportunities for businesses." While some countries raise tariffs or close their markets, Delphin argues that we should use the FTA to diversify trade, hedge against uncertainty, and strengthen our supply chains.

"The EU is India's top trading partner, with bilateral trade in goods totaling EUR 120 billion, surpassing the United States and China. Including services, our bilateral trade has reached EUR 180 billion. This is an impressive figure, but there is enormous potential for growth given that the EU and India are the world's second and fourth largest economies, respectively. To unlock this untapped potential, the EU and India are negotiating a free trade agreement," he added.