Piyush Goyal To Visit Brussels To Advance Indiaeu Free Trade Agreement Talks

(MENAFN- KNN India) New Delhi, Jan 7 (KNN) Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, is scheduled to visit Brussels on 8–9 January 2026 to advance negotiations on the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

The two-day visit marks a significant phase in the ongoing efforts to finalise a comprehensive trade and economic partnership between India and the EU, reflecting heightened diplomatic and technical engagement.

The India-EU FTA negotiations, ambitiously relaunched in June 2022 after a hiatus of over nine years, have since witnessed 14 rounds of intensive discussions and multiple high-level ministerial dialogues, with the latest interaction held in December 2025.

The European Union remains India's largest trading partner and a key source of investment, with bilateral trade in goods seeing substantial growth in the 2024–25 fiscal year.

The proposed FTA is envisioned as a modern, rules-based partnership addressing contemporary economic challenges while facilitating greater market integration.

During the Brussels visit, Goyal will hold high-level talks with European Commission officials, including Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Maroš Šefčovič.

The discussions will focus on providing strategic guidance to negotiating teams, resolving outstanding issues, and expediting the conclusion of a balanced and ambitious agreement.

These ministerial-level deliberations follow preparatory engagements earlier in the week (6–7 January 2026) between India's Commerce Secretary, Rajesh Agrawal, and Sabine Weyand, Director-General for Trade, European Commission.

India is pressing for zero-duty access for labor-intensive industries such as textiles, leather, apparel, gems and jewellery, and handicrafts, alongside broader provisions that protect farmers, MSMEs, and small enterprises while integrating Indian industries into global value chains.

Both sides have reiterated strong political commitment to conclude a comprehensive and forward-looking trade deal.

The forthcoming talks are expected to further narrow differences, provide clarity on outstanding issues, and reaffirm the shared goal of a modern economic partnership that strengthens trade, investment, and strategic collaboration between India and the European Union.

(KNN Bureau)

MENAFN07012026000155011030ID1110568894