EU and India will formally sign free trade deal by end-2026, says EU chief

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hold a joint press statement at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi, India, January 27, 2026. (Photo: Reuters)

June 17 (Reuters) – The European Union will formally sign its a landmark trade deal with India by the ​end of this year, European Commission President ‌Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday.

  • Von der Leyen provided an update on the EU’s free trade agreement ​with India after she met Indian ​Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the G7 summit in ⁠France.
  • “Since we have concluded the mother of ​all trade deals, we have been moving fast ​to deliver on our commitments. We will sign the Free Trade Agreement by the end of the year,” ​von der Leyen wrote on X.
  • In January, India ​and the EU struck a long‑delayed deal that will slash tariffs ‌on ⁠most goods, aiming to boost two‑way trade and reduce reliance on the U.S. amid growing global trade tensions. Signing of the deal by ​the end ​of this ⁠year could allow it to enter force in 2027.
  • The deal is forecast ​to double EU exports to India ​by ⁠2032 by eliminating or reducing tariffs in 96.6% of traded goods by value, and will lead ⁠to savings ​of €4 billion ($4.64 billion) in ​duties for European companies, the EU said.

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T.K.B. Sen

Journalist, media worker, reporter and analyst

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