The European Union and India are entering the final phase of their free trade negotiations, maintaining near-continuous contact to finalize an agreement by the end of the year, according to the European Commission.
Negotiators from both sides recently met in Brussels, where they reported progress on several key issues. A major development was the closure of the chapter on sanitary and phytosanitary standards — a crucial set of rules that regulate agricultural trade.
“Teams will continue working at an intense pace during the coming weeks, with sustained engagement at the level of chief negotiators in both virtual and in-person formats,” Commission spokesperson Olof Gill said in a statement.
The discussions also covered market access for goods in industrial and agricultural sectors, with both sides outlining their respective priorities and sensitivities. Political engagement will remain active, with continued dialogue between EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič and India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal.
🇮🇳India has become a foreign policy priority for the EU
What can we expect from a new EU-India strategic agenda?👇#EPlenary @ANiebler @NielsFlemming01 @carlatavares_ps @EP_ForeignAff @EP_Trade @davidmcallister @berndlange pic.twitter.com/ZzMkWBetsa
— European Parliamentary Research Service (@EP_EPRS) October 7, 2025
India’s Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal visited Brussels last week to help accelerate progress. During his visit, he met with the EU’s Director-General for Trade, Sabine Weyand, to reinforce the shared goal of concluding the long-discussed trade pact.
The renewed momentum follows months of intensified diplomacy and economic recalibration. Both New Delhi and Brussels are seeking to strengthen their trade relationships amid shifting global dynamics and tariff pressures from the United States.
Negotiations will continue without a formal new round being scheduled, as both parties focus on bridging remaining gaps and moving toward a comprehensive agreement.
India and the EU are intensifying their talks on a free-trade deal and will meet nonstop after making progress during a round of negotiations last week, the European Commission said today.https://t.co/GqKojrauZC
— POLITICOEurope (@POLITICOEurope) October 13, 2025