India concludes its largest trade deal with EU

FTA will boost investment between the two, foster innovation partnerships, and strengthen supply chains at the global level

GN Bureau | January 27, 2026


#EU   #Diplomacy   #Trade  
PM Narendra Modi, European Council president António Luís Santos da Costa and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen witness the Exchange of MoUs between India and EU, in Hyderabad House, New Delhi on Tuesday
PM Narendra Modi, European Council president António Luís Santos da Costa and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen witness the Exchange of MoUs between India and EU, in Hyderabad House, New Delhi on Tuesday

India on Tuesday concluded the largest Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in its history with the European Union. 

“It is a happy coincidence that on the 27th day of the month, India is entering into this FTA with the 27 Member States of the European Union,” prime minister Narendra Modi said during the joint press statement with president of the European Council António Luís Santos da Costa and president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.

“This historic agreement will facilitate easier access for our farmers and small enterprises to European markets, create new opportunities in manufacturing, and further strengthen cooperation across our services sectors. Moreover, this FTA will boost investment between India and the European Union, foster new innovation partnerships, and strengthen supply chains at the global level. In other words, this is not merely a trade agreement; it is a new blueprint for shared prosperity,” he said.

The agreements signed include:

Overarching document covering all aspects of India-EU Strategic Partnership
1. Towards 2030: A Joint India-European Union Comprehensive Strategic Agenda 

Trade and Economy; and Finance
2. Joint Announcement on the conclusion of the negotiations of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement
    
3. MoU between RBI and European Securities and Market Authority (ESMA)

4. Administrative Arrangement on Advanced Electronic Signatures and Seals 

Defence and Security
5. Security and Defence Partnership
    
6. Launch of negotiations for an India-EU Security of Information Agreement

Skilling and Mobility
7. MoU on Comprehensive Framework on Co-operation on Mobility

8. Announcement on setting up of European Union pilot Legal Gateway Office in India aimed to enhance skill mobility

Disaster Management
9. Administrative Arrangement between NDMA and the Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG-ECHO) concerning Co-operation in Disaster Risk Management and Emergency Response

Clean Energy
10. Constitution of a Green Hydrogen Task Force

Science & Technology, and Research & Innovation
11. Renewal of India-EU Agreement on Scientific & Technological Cooperation for the period 2025- 2030

12. Launch of exploratory talks for India entering into an association agreement with Horizon Europe Programme

Connectivity
13. Agreement to jointly implement four (4) projects under the India-EU Trilateral Co-operation on Digital Innovation and Skills Hub for Women and Youth; Solar-Based Solutions for Empowering Women Farmers in Agriculture and Food Systems; Early Warning Systems; and Solar Based Sustainable Energy Transition in Africa, and Small Island Developing States in the Indo-Pacific and Caribbean
    
Modi said, “Based on today's achievements, we are launching an even more ambitious and holistic strategic agenda for the next five years. In a complex global environment, this agenda will provide clear direction, advance our shared prosperity, accelerate innovation, strengthen security cooperation, and deepen people-to-people ties.”

 

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