The North News
New Delhi, January 10
India and the European Union have signalled fresh momentum in negotiations for a long-pending free trade agreement, following a two-day visit by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal to Brussels. Goyal held high-level talks on January 8 and 9 with the EU’s Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Maroš Šefčovič, with both sides urging negotiators to resolve outstanding differences and accelerate progress towards a deal. The ministerial meetings capped a week of intensive diplomatic and technical discussions in Brussels, reflecting what officials described as strong political will on both sides to conclude a comprehensive agreement. Ahead of the ministerial engagement, India’s Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal met the European Commission’s Director-General for Trade, Sabine Weyand, on January 6 and 7 to review progress across negotiating tracks and identify areas where gaps could be narrowed.
During the talks, Goyal and Šefčovič reviewed advances in key areas including market access for goods, rules of origin and services. They acknowledged steady movement in several chapters, while reaffirming a commitment to address remaining issues through what officials called “constructive engagement”. Both sides underlined the strategic importance of a trade pact that is fair and balanced, and that reflects shared values, economic priorities and support for a rules-based global trading system.
The visit concluded with expressions of confidence and renewed determination from New Delhi and Brussels to work towards an early conclusion of what they described as a modern, ambitious and mutually beneficial agreement.
