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The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has strongly condemned the India–European Union Free Trade Agreement signed on January 27 , laeblling it a “wholesale surrender” of the country’s economic interests to European powers and a move that will primarily benefit elites at the cost of Indian workers, farmers and small producers. In a scathing statement, the CPI(M) Polit Bureau said the deal entails drastic tariff cuts across key sectors, including automobiles, steel, pharmaceuticals, wines and spirits, processed foods, and meat.  Representational Image via CPIMSpeaks Under the agreement, India will reduce or eliminate tariffs on over 90% of goods imported from the EU. The CPI(M) highlighted specific tariff reductions: from 110% to 40% on automobiles, 150% to 40% on wines and spirits, 50% to zero on processed foods, 11% to zero on pharmaceuticals, and 22% to zero on iron and steel. “These cuts will devastate India’s domestic industries,” the party said.  “The EU itself projects t...

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Saturday described the newly concluded India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA) as a “strategic choice” that will create one of the world’s largest trading zones, combining two economic blocs representing 2 billion people and 25% of global GDP. Image Source: Indian PM NaMo Speaking at the EU-India Business Forum alongside Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, von der Leyen called the agreement a “new era” for global trade that prioritizes “cooperation over fragmentation.”  The FTA, which will lower tariffs, simplify customs processes, and provide stable market access, comes after nearly two decades of negotiations and is expected to unlock significant economic opportunities for both sides. “European companies already employ more than 3 million people in India. In ten years, trade in goods between Europe and India has nearly doubled to €120 billion.  Now this agreement will unleash ev...

India and the European Union formally concluded negotiations for a historic Free Trade Agreement (FTA) during the 16th India–EU Summit in New Delhi on January 27, 2026. The announcement was made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and European Council President António Costa during the EU leaders’ official visit to India. The FTA marks the largest and most ambitious trade deal ever signed by India, covering over 99% of Indian exports by trade value and establishing preferential access to the European market for a broad range of goods and services. Image Source: Kaja Kallas The agreement follows years of negotiations, which resumed in 2022 after being suspended in 2013. It aims to integrate the world’s fourth-largest and second-largest economies, together accounting for 25% of global GDP, and create a combined market of two billion people.  The FTA is designed as a modern, rules-based framework that provides certainty for businesses, ...

India and the European Union (EU) are working to conclude an early harvest trade deal by July 2025 , as part of a two-stage approach toward a broader Free Trade Agreement (FTA) . The deal would mirror India’s interim agreement with Australia , covering key areas such as tariffs, non-tariff barriers, intellectual property rights, government procurement , and sanitary and phytosanitary measures . Indian officials to arrive in Brussels today for India-EU Free Trade Agreement negotiations. Deal expected to close by the end of 2025. — Filter Coffee ☕️ (@FilterCoffeeHQ) May 21, 2025 The move is aimed at accelerating trade liberalisation while larger FTA negotiations continue. India’s Chief Negotiator, Satya Srinivas , is currently in Brussels to fast-track the talks. The two sides are pursuing a comprehensive pact that also includes a bilateral investment protection agreement and recognition of geographical indications (GIs) . India-EU FTA talks move forward, with a phased deal l...