Investment protection and geographical indications (GIs) are being negotiated separately, narrowing the FTA's focus to goods, services and trade rules. The pact would be India's ninth trade agreement in four years, reflecting New Delhi's push to secure market access as global trade turns more protectionist. The EU is among India's top trading partners, along with the United States and China, with total bilateral goods and services trade exceeding US$190 billion in 2024/25. India exported about US$76 billion in goods and US$30 billion in services to the 27-nation bloc. Whether the pact delivers balanced gains will depend on how carbon levies, services mobility and non-tariff barriers are ultimately handled.

Source: The Edge Markets January 23, 2026 09:22 UTC