New delhi: India and the European Union held extensive discussions on Tuesday aimed at expediting the conclusion of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and enhancing trade ties. The talks, which took place in New Delhi, were led by India's Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, and the EU's Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Maros Sefcovic. According to Kuwait News Agency, the discussions were intended to provide strategic direction to the FTA negotiating teams, with both parties striving to finalize the agreement promptly. Technical discussions in New Delhi have been ongoing since December 3, focusing on significant chapters of the India-EU FTA, including market access for goods, rules of origin, services, technical barriers to trade, and trade and sustainable development issues. The ongoing deliberations highlighted a shared commitment to intensify dialogue and collaboration, with a concentrated effort to advance negotiations toward a timely and mutually beneficial conclusion. Bot h Goyal and Sefcovic engaged in detailed discussions on key areas of the proposed agreement, acknowledging the steady progress made across various negotiating tracks and the need to maintain the current momentum through continued exchanges. The discussions underscored the strategic importance of concluding a fair, balanced, and ambitious agreement that aligns with the shared values, economic priorities, and commitment to a rules-based trading framework of both India and the EU. The talks also reaffirmed the strong political resolve to address pending issues through constructive engagement and to work towards a comprehensive, mutually advantageous outcome. Sefcovic's visit to India emphasizes the country's role as a reliable partner for the EU in fostering diversified, resilient, and future-oriented economic cooperation. Both sides expressed confidence and a renewed determination to intensify efforts toward the early conclusion of a modern, comprehensive, and mutually beneficial agreement.
