India and the European Union (EU) have broadly prepared the blueprint and framework of their Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and soon the decision of the deal would be reached. Commerce and industry Minister Piyush Goyal said Wednesday. On Monday and Tuesday, Goyal held intensive talks with the EU Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic on the agreement. Discussions between Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal and Director-General Trade, European Commission Sabine Weyand were held on December 7.
When asked whether the deal would be concluded by January when the EU leadership team visits India as chief guests for the Republic Day celebrations and India-EU Summit, the minister said, “The air is pregnant with possibilities. Every deal has many dynamics. I can say with certainty that both sides are committed to early conclusion of a deal. Whether it happens in one month, next week we will wait and watch.”
Finalising the Blueprint
The visit of Sefcovic took place against the backdrop of the technical discussions held from 3-9 December 2025 in New Delhi across key chapters of India-EU FTA covering Market Access for Goods, Rules of Origin, Services, Technical Barriers to Trade, Trade and Sustainable Development.
During his stay in New Delhi, Sefcivic also met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
Both sides have set a deadline of December-end to wrap up the discussions on the FTA and officials say the deal would definitely be doable by the first quarter of calendar year 2026.
India and the EU began negotiating their FTA in 2022. In addition to the main agreement, both sides are also negotiating deals on Geographical Indications and Investment Protection. The FTA covers 23 chapters or policy areas.
India’s multi-front trade strategy
The minister said due to India’s many strengths many different countries want to do FTA and economic partnership with India. He said many FTAs – including with Chile, New Zealand, Oman and Israel are close at hand.
The chief negotiators and negotiating team for FTA with Israel have been finalised and there is hope that the first phase of the agreement will be done, the minister said. ”Two days back I met the Treasury Undersecretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Chile Claudia Sanhueza and discussed the progress in the negotiations and soon there will be a FTA with them.” Last week India and Chile concluded the 4th round of negotiations on their FTA.
“The Minister of Trade of New Zealand Todd McClay is coming on Friday (for next round of ministerial negotiations on FTA).With them also our talks are in final stages,” Goyal added.
India is currently negotiating 11 trade agreements in all including review of Asean-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) and Japan.