New Delhi, Nov 4 (UNI) India and the European union (EU) are inching towards finalisation of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) ‘’within this year’’ as hectic parleys between them gather momentum.
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal will be in New Zealand tomorrow for discussions with New Zealand Trade Minister Todd McClay on the ongoing FTA negotiations, an official spokesman said here today.
‘’The visit reflects the shared commitment of both countries to expedite the FTA process and build a more comprehensive and mutually beneficial economic partnership,’’ the spokesman said.
A senior team of negotiators from the EU is currently in New Delhi for talks with their Indian counterparts on the proposed FTA.
Piyush Goyal had talks with Maros Sefcovic, EU Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, and C Hansen EU, Commissioner for Agriculture and Food.
Goyal said on X “Had a productive meeting with Maros Sefcovic, EU Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, and C Hansen EU, Commissioner for Agriculture and Food. Discussed strengthening the India-EU trade & investment ties, advancing the FTA, and deepening cooperation across priority areas. Both sides are committed to balanced and mutually beneficial outcomes.”
Piyush Goyal had also visited Brussels on October 27-28 and held discussions with Maros Sefcovic.
The Fourth round of the India–New Zealand FTA negotiations commenced in Auckland yesterday marking an important step in deepening the bilateral trade and economic dialogue between the two nations.
During the New Zealand visit, Goyal will participate in a series of high-level engagements aimed at strengthening trade, investment, and innovation linkages between India and New Zealand. These include a dedicated interaction with prominent members of the New Zealand business community and the visiting Indian business delegation, facilitating greater collaboration between the private sectors of both countries.
A New Zealand–India Business Forum will be held in the afternoon in Auckland, followed by a community interaction event with members of the vibrant Indian diaspora.
The engagements are expected to see participation from industry leaders, chambers of commerce, and government representatives from New Zealand, reaffirming the growing momentum in bilateral relations and the shared vision for a stronger, future-oriented economic partnership.
Meanwhile in Romania, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada met Romania’s Foreign Minister Ms. Oana-Silvia Țoiu in Bucharest, an official spokesman said here.
Both sides agreed to work towards the conclusion, ‘’within this year,’’ of a fair, balanced and mutually beneficial India–EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in line with the political direction set for the ongoing negotiations.
The discussions also focused on expanding trade, attracting investment and strengthening resilient supply chains within the broader India–EU economic framework as the Ministers reviewed the stable trade and investment ties between India and Romania.
India’s exports to Romania crossed USD 1.03 billion in FY 2024–25, while overall bilateral trade reached about USD 2.98 billion in FY 2023–24.
Both sides agreed to deepen supply-chain linkages in priority sectors such as petroleum products, engineering goods, pharmaceuticals and ceramics, and to facilitate collaboration in standards, testing and investment partnerships to enhance market access on both sides.
They also agreed to work together for diversification of production and build stronger, more resilient supply chains as trusted partners, ensuring stability and confidence for businesses in both nations.
Building on the recent high-level engagements between the leadership of India and Romania, both sides agreed to sustain the momentum through a regular calendar of exchanges.
They decided to coordinate follow-up actions on streamlining trade, developing a mobility toolkit and strengthening investor outreach to translate opportunities into tangible outcomes.
‘’The visit underscores the shared commitment of both nations to a stronger India–Romania economic partnership—one that expands trade, widens investment flows, and creates pathways for skills-based mobility to the mutual benefit of both economies,’’ the spokesman added.
