India-EU FTA talks to resume today

Both sides intend to wrap up first tranche of the pact early Mukesh Jagota New Delhi, May 11

- PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

INDIA AND THE EUROPEAN Union (EU) will begin the next round of negotiations for their free trade agreement (FTA) on Monday, aiming to conclude an interim agreement as early as possible.

This follows the announcement last week by the Prime Ministers of India and the UK, who confirmed the conclusion of key elements of the India-UK FTA.

New Delhi and Brussels have agreed to complete the FTA in two stages, with the first phase of the deal expected to be finalised well before the year-end deadline, according to an official. The deadline for the second and final round will remain the year-end.

Buoyed by the completion of negotiations on the full-scale FTA with the UK, India wants to sew up as many trade deals as possible this year. The global uncertainty caused by Trump-era tariffs is also driving the EU and India to complete the deal. The upcoming round of talks, which will be the 11th, will continue until May 16.