New Delhi, Jan 6 (UNI) Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal will be on official trip to Brussels from Jan 8- 9 for high-level discussions aimed at advancing negotiations on the proposed India-European union Free Trade Agreement (FTA), an official statement said on Tuesday here.
The visit comes as India and the European union continue efforts to finalise a comprehensive and balanced trade agreement that can deepen bilateral trade and investment relations.
Negotiations on the FTA were relaunched in June 2022 after a long pause, reflecting renewed political and economic commitment from both India and the EU to build a modern and mutually beneficial trade partnership.
Since talks resumed, both sides have completed fourteen rounds of negotiations along with several ministerial and senior-official level engagements.
The discussions have covered a wide range of areas, including goods, services, investment, intellectual property and sustainable development with the objective of addressing long-standing issues and aligning interests.
During the Brussels visit, the Commerce Minister is expected to hold detailed meetings with senior European union leadership, including the EU Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security.
These interactions are aimed at providing strategic direction to negotiators, resolving outstanding concerns and accelerating progress toward an early and meaningful conclusion of the agreement.
India’s approach to the FTA is guided by the government’s focus on promoting domestic manufacturing, boosting exports and creating employment.
A key priority is to secure improved market access for labour-intensive sectors such as textiles, leather, apparel, gems and jewellery and handicrafts, which play a vital role in job creation and export growth.
The proposed agreement is being viewed not just as a traditional trade deal, but as a comprehensive economic partnership that can enhance supply-chain integration, encourage investment flows and open new opportunities for businesses, including micro, small and medium enterprises.
The European union is one of India’s largest trading partners and an important source of foreign investment. Strengthening trade ties with the bloc is expected to support India’s broader goals of export diversification, value addition and deeper integration with global markets.
