Industry Odisha Bureau, Oct 25: Negotiators target a December 17–18 signing during Narendra Modi’s expected visit. The European Commission has proposed a faster approval route. The pact would link markets with €118 billion in goods trade.
India and the EU are pushing to sign their FTA before December ends. Both sides reportedly favour December 17 or 18 in Brussels. The date could coincide with an expected visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Sources told the Hindustan Times he may stop there after a proposed G20 meeting. The G20 meeting is proposed for Miami, in the United States. Officials stress that timelines remain fluid until formally announced. Earlier reports had pointed to December 16.
The European Commission has proposed a fast-track procedure to the Council of the EU. The Council represents the governments of the bloc’s 27 member states. Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič reportedly set out the approach amid global uncertainty.
The Commission reportedly wants to proceed on the original English text. Waiting for translations into all 24 official languages could delay ratification by over a year. Whether this route is legally acceptable rests with the Council’s approval.
Each stage carries distinct legal weight. The Commission sent the text to the Council on September 11. Council approval would authorise signing, not complete the process. The European Parliament must then give its consent. In India, the Union Cabinet must approve the agreement. The deal is expected to operate by early 2027, though this is not guaranteed.
Negotiations concluded at political level on January 27, 2026. That milestone came at the 16th India–EU Summit in New Delhi. Legal finalisation and formal approval still had to follow.
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is visiting Germany and the Netherlands from October 22 to 27. In Germany, he met Economic Affairs and Energy Minister Katherina Reiche. He also met Levin Holle, an adviser at the Federal Chancellery. Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal is expected in Brussels this week on procedural matters.
A European Parliament foreign affairs delegation visits New Delhi from October 26 to 28. It is led by committee chair David McAllister. The trip is political dialogue, not formal parliamentary approval.
A European Parliament research paper says the pact covers a quarter of the world’s population. It adds that the area accounts for 25% of global GDP. The EU’s 27 economies together total about $23 trillion.
Goods trade between the two reached €118 billion in 2025, Commission data show. India mainly ships machinery, chemicals, textiles, metals and petroleum products to Europe. The EU sends chiefly industrial goods, including machinery, transport equipment and chemicals.
Services trade totalled €67 billion in 2025. India exported €37.8 billion in services to the EU. The EU sold €29.2 billion of services in return.
Investment ties are deeper still. EU FDI stock in India stood at €132.8 billion in 2024. India’s FDI stock in the EU was €13.7 billion. These are accumulated holdings, not annual flows.
Talks began in 2007, stalled in 2013 and revived in May 2021.
Separate tracks on investment protection and geographical indications run alongside the FTA. Meeting at the G7 in Evian on June 17, leaders backed signing by end-2026. Council approval now remains the key next step.
