By Nityanjali Bulsu
A high-level European Union delegation is set to arrive in New Delhi this week for crucial discussions on the proposed India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The talks are expected to focus on some of the most contentious issues, including rules of origin, market access, and duties on agricultural products such as wine and dairy.
This visit took place a couple days after the European commission president Ursula von der Leyen and European council president Antonio Costa discussed the early conclusion of the long-pending FTA agreement with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Both sides have been under pressure to move faster, with global trade tensions and tariff battles adding urgency to the negotiations.
The European Delegation is said to be led by the European Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic and the European Agriculture Commissioner Christophe Hansen. Along with the two officials, the delegation will include a 30 member negotiating team from Brussels. The two officials, who hold a post similar to that of cabinet ministers, will be making their first trip to India after their visit in February to New Delhi for broad-based discussions.
Furthermore, it is said that the Indian ministers of Commerce and Agriculture, Mr. Piyush Goyal and Mr. Shivraj Singh Chauhan will be present to greet the delegation upon their arrival. Sources say the aim is to make progress on several “knotty issues” that have slowed down the deal.
According to officials familiar with the talks, the India-EU FTA negotiations cover around 26 to 27 chapters, each addressing different aspects of trade and cooperation. Both sides believe that resolving the outstanding disputes quickly could pave the way for a final agreement.
For India, greater access to European markets could boost exports and investments, while the EU is keen on lowering barriers for its agricultural and industrial products. The upcoming discussions will therefore play a decisive role in shaping the future of the India-EU economic partnership.