EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic will visit New Delhi next week as talks on a free trade agreement with India make “rapid progress,” Indian trade minister Piyush Goyal said Thursday.
The visit comes shortly after steep U.S. tariff hikes on Indian goods took effect.
Negotiations with the EU, stalled for eight years before resuming in 2021, are now in an advanced stage, with the next round of talks seen as crucial for striking a deal by year-end.
The EU seeks steep tariff cuts on cars, medical devices, wine, spirits, and dairy, while India is pushing for greater access for textiles, pharmaceuticals, steel, and petroleum.
The EU is India’s largest trading partner, with trade reaching $137.5 billion in 2023/24, nearly doubling in a decade.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reaffirmed the EU’s goal to conclude the deal this year after speaking with PM Modi.