A high-level parliamentary delegation from the European Parliament’s Committee on International Trade Affairs (INTA), led by Cristina Maestre, INTA Standing Rapporteur for India, held a significant meeting on Wednesday with Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha Harivansh, at Parliament.
The discussions during the meeting underscored the deepening ties between India and the European Union, two of the world’s largest democracies and open market economies.
Highlighting the robust trajectory of India-EU relations, Deputy Chairman Harivansh expressed confidence that the long-anticipated India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA) would be finalized soon. “India and the European Union share a unique partnership based on democratic values, economic openness, and pluralism. The journey of our bilateral relationship continues to ascend, and we are optimistic about the completion of the India-EU FTA,” he said.
The meeting also touched upon the recent Joint Communication by the European Union in September 2025, which outlined a “new India-EU Strategic Agenda”. Harivansh praised this development as a positive step towards elevating the partnership across multiple sectors including trade, technology, security, defence, innovation, climate action, connectivity, mobility, and global governance.
Reflecting on parliamentary diplomacy, he recalled the All-Party Parliamentary Delegation’s visit to Brussels in June 2025, which followed the tragic terror attack in Pahalgam. “Such regular parliamentary exchanges symbolize the strengthening of the India–EU partnership, allowing meaningful interactions with our European counterparts,” he noted.
The Deputy Chairman of the upper house emphasized the strong economic ties between the two entities, pointing out that the EU remains India’s leading trade and investment partner and a major technology source. “In the last financial year, the EU was India’s largest bilateral trading partner in goods,” he added.
Looking ahead, Harivansh detailed key focus areas under the new strategic agenda, including the anticipated finalization of the India-EU FTA by year-end and the conclusion of a Security and Defence Partnership, expected to feature prominently at the next India-EU Summit.
Acknowledging the crucial role of the European Parliament’s INTA Committee in trade agreement ratifications, he said, “The conclusion of a balanced and mutually beneficial FTA will be a win-win for both India and the EU.”
On a hopeful note he added: “Both sides share the vision of realizing a successful FTA that will further strengthen our trusted partnership amidst today’s uncertain geopolitical realities.”
The meeting coincided with Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal’s visit to Brussels for talks with his European counterparts, underscoring the shared commitment to advancing the India-EU partnership.
This engagement marks a pivotal moment in bilateral relations, signaling accelerated cooperation and mutual growth in a rapidly changing global landscape.