India’s historic free trade agreement with the European Union (EU) is already reverberating across South Asia, with Bangladesh and Pakistan among the countries most immediately affected, bdnews24.com reports citing Zee News. The deal will eliminate or sharply reduce tariffs on over 90 percent of EU exports to India, including machinery, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals, enabling New Delhi to expand its presence in the European market, the report added. “We were always asked how Bangladesh exports so much to Europe. Zee News notes that Islamabad fears closer India–EU trade and strategic cooperation, including counter-terrorism partnerships, could disadvantage Pakistan-backed Khalistani groups active in Europe. Beyond South Asia, the agreement has unsettled the United States, where stalled Indo-US trade talks now contrast with Europe’s growing economic partnership with India, Zee News reported.

Source: bd News24 January 30, 2026 13:23 UTC