Piyush Goyal meets EU Trade Commissioner to advance talks on proposed Free Trade Agreement

Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday met the European Union’s Trade and Economic Security Commissioner, Mr Maroš Šefčovič, in Brussels.

Taking to social media platform X, the minister said, “In continuation of our efforts to secure a mutually beneficial India–EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA), I held high-level talks with the EU Trade and Economic Security Commissioner, Mr Maroš Šefčovič, in Brussels.”

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“During this dialogue, we deliberated on key areas of the proposed agreement. We reaffirmed our commitment to a rules-based trading framework and a modern economic partnership that safeguards the interests of farmers and MSMEs, while integrating Indian industries into global supply chains,” he added.

Mr Goyal is in Brussels on a two-day visit, during which he will meet his European counterparts, resolve the final pending issues, and expedite the conclusion of the negotiations.

The Commerce Minister’s visit comes just weeks ahead of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa attending India’s Republic Day celebrations as chief guests, prior to the EU–India Summit.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is also in Europe on a visit to Paris and Luxembourg.

In Paris, Mr Jaishankar met his French, German and Polish counterparts for the India–Weimar Triangle meeting. “India’s relationship with the EU and with Europe has the most room to grow among all its major relationships,” he said.

Reports suggest that India and the European Union are working towards announcing a Free Trade Agreement during the visit of EU leaders to India for Republic Day later this month.