Not an era of war: PM

Next round of talks with the bloc from July 7

- PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

INDIA AND THE European Union are aiming to finalize a free trade agreement (FTA) by the end of 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday at the India-Cyprus CEO Forum in Limassol.

According to agency reports, Modi also stated that, driven by next-generation reforms, policy predictability, stable polity and "ease of doing business," India has become the fastest-growing major economy in the world.

In June 2022, India and the 27-nation EU bloc resumed negotiations for the comprehensive trade agreement, an investment protection agreement and a pact on geographical indications after a gap of over eight years.

So far, 11 rounds of negotiations on the agreement have been held.

Additional secretary in the department of commerce L Satya Srinivas said here on Monday that the next round of talks with the EU for the FTA would be held from July 7 in Brussels.

"There are some tracks we are working together on this week. Momentum has picked up in the talks and frequency of meetings have gone up. Earlier, negotiating rounds were held every quarter, now, we have reduced the time period between rounds," he added.