Editor’s Note
This report details a significant diplomatic and economic milestone with the conclusion of a free trade agreement and a new strategic agenda between India and the European Union. The development, announced at a summit in New Delhi, marks a substantial deepening of ties aimed at shaping cooperation through 2030.
New Delhi, Jan 27 (Prensa Latina) India and the European Union (EU) today achieved an unprecedented advance in their relations with the conclusion of a free trade agreement and the establishment of a comprehensive strategic agenda until 2030.
The announcement followed the 16th India-EU Summit in New Delhi, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Presidents of the European Council and the European Commission, António Santos da Costa and Ursula von der Leyen, who will conclude their official visit to the South Asian nation this Tuesday.
The bilateral free trade agreement grants access to the European bloc’s market for over 99 percent of exports from India, explained Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal.
Furthermore, it covers areas such as trade in goods, services, trade remedial measures, rules of origin, customs, small and medium-sized enterprises, digital trade, among others.
He assured that sensitive Indian sectors were protected, including dairy, cereals, poultry, soybean meal, and certain fruits and vegetables, balancing export growth with national priorities.
Among other aspects, the agreement guarantees expanded and commercially significant commitments from the EU in key sectors for India such as information technology, professional services, education, financial services, tourism, construction, and other business sectors.
For its part, the Joint Comprehensive Strategic Agenda until 2030 covers cooperation in areas such as technology and innovation, security and defense, connectivity, and global affairs, reinforced by cross-cutting enabling elements.
Additionally, representatives from both sides exchanged cooperation mechanisms in the banking and mobility, defense, disaster management, green hydrogen, and scientific and technological sectors.
They also reached an agreement to jointly implement projects under India-EU trilateral cooperation related to digital innovation and training for women and youth, and on solar energy-based solutions for empowering women farmers and improving food systems.
Similarly, to collaborate on early warning systems and sustainable energy transition based on solar energy in Africa and the Small Island Developing States of the Indo-Pacific and the Caribbean.
