EU, India conclude major trade deal

NEW DELHI:

India and the European Union have finalised a massive free trade deal, Indian government officials said on Monday, about two decades after negotiations were first launched.

Facing challenges from China and the United States, Brussels and New Delhi have sought closer ties, producing a pact that is to be unveiled in the Indian capital on Tuesday.

Feted on Monday as guests of honour at India's Republic Day parade, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council president Antonio Costa are to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a summit.

"Official level negotiations are being concluded and both sides are all set to announce the successful conclusion" of talks at the Tuesday summit, Indian commerce secretary Rajesh Agrawal told AFP.

The EU has eyed India -- the world's most populous nation -- as an important market for the future, while New Delhi sees the European bloc as an important source of much-needed technology and investment to rapidly upscale its infrastructure and create millions of new jobs.

'Mother of all deals'

Bilateral trade in goods reached 120 billion euros ($139 billion) in 2024, an increase of nearly 90 percent over the past decade, according to EU figures, with a further 60 billion euros ($69 billion) in trade in services.

India's Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal has described the new pact as "the mother of all deals".

"Final negotiations have been focused and fruitful, and we are now very optimistic that we will land this historic trade deal," an EU official said Monday speaking on condition of anonymity.

Under the agreement, India is expected to ease market access for key European products, including cars and wine, in return for easier exports of textiles and pharmaceuticals, among other things.

"The EU stands to gain the highest level of access ever granted to a trade partner in the traditionally protected Indian market," von der Leyen said on Sunday, adding that she expected exports to India to double. AFP