Post by : Badri Ariffin

New Delhi: Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal is set to visit Brussels, Belgium, on October 27–28 to meet Maros Sefcovic, Executive Vice-President and European Commissioner for Trade, as India and the European Union push to wrap up negotiations for a long-awaited Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

The visit comes at a decisive phase, following the 14th round of talks held earlier this month. Officials said the meeting aims to give political direction and speed up consensus on pending issues as both sides target a year-end conclusion.

Talks between India and the EU have gained renewed urgency, with negotiators staying back in Brussels after the recent round to resolve contentious chapters. These include the rules of origin—a critical area where the EU seeks tighter checks to prevent goods from third countries entering its market via India, especially in sensitive sectors such as agriculture, wines, spirits, and products with Geographical Indication (GI) tags.

Another tough chapter is agriculture. India has been pushing for mutual recognition of agricultural standards to avoid repeated testing and certifications that currently delay shipments and raise compliance costs. Without a recognition pact, Indian farm exports face time-consuming clearance procedures within the EU.

The ongoing discussions cover 23 policy areas—from market access and investment protection to government procurement and sustainable development—making this one of India’s most comprehensive trade negotiations in recent years.

During the last financial year, India’s goods trade with the EU stood at around $136.5 billion, with exports worth $75.8 billion and imports of $60.7 billion, underlining the bloc’s importance as one of India’s top trading partners.

Goyal’s Brussels visit is expected to review progress made so far, clear the remaining roadblocks, and set the course for a final agreement that could reshape trade flows between India and Europe.

If sealed, the pact would mark a milestone in India’s trade diplomacy, strengthening its position in global supply chains and deepening economic ties with one of the world’s largest markets.

#Global