India Urges Swift Conclusion to EU Free Trade Agreement
New Delhi - September 3, 2025 – India is seeking a “decisive conclusion” to ongoing negotiations for a free trade agreement with the European Union, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated today. the call for expedited talks came during a joint press briefing following discussions with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, signaling a renewed push for deeper economic ties with Europe.
The India-EU free trade agreement, under negotiation for over a decade, has the potential to significantly boost bilateral trade adn investment, creating economic opportunities for both regions. A triumphant agreement would streamline commerce, reduce tariffs, and foster collaboration in key sectors like technology, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture.Progress has been hampered by disagreements over issues including data localization, intellectual property rights, and agricultural subsidies, but recent diplomatic efforts suggest a potential breakthrough is within reach.
Jaishankar highlighted the broad scope of discussions with Wadephul, encompassing areas such as economic cooperation, climate change, defense, and technology. He specifically welcomed Germany’s commitment to doubling trade with India and acknowledged German efforts to address export control concerns.
“We appreciate Germany’s aim to double trade with India,” Jaishankar said, adding that Wadephul had pledged full German support for the India-EU FTA. Cooperation in the burgeoning semiconductor sector and the development of green hydrogen technologies were also identified as key areas for future collaboration.
Jaishankar emphasized the growing importance of the India-Germany relationship, describing it as “enormously important and…growing significantly.”