New Delhi: Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal held high-level talks in Brussels to accelerate negotiations on the India-EU FTA, signalling renewed political momentum toward an early conclusion.
The Minister concluded a two-day visit to Brussels on January 8 and 9, 2026. During the visit, he met European Union Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Mr. Maroš Šefčovič. Both leaders guided negotiating teams to resolve pending issues.
Earlier, officials from both sides undertook intensive preparatory engagements. As a result, the Ministerial dialogue focused on narrowing remaining gaps rather than reopening settled areas.
High-level discussions between Commerce Secretary Shri Rajesh Agrawal and European Commission Director-General for Trade Ms. Sabine Weyand took place on January 6 and 7. These meetings reviewed progress across negotiating tracks and clarified outstanding concerns.
Meanwhile, officials worked to ensure alignment on unresolved issues. This process helped clear the ground for the Ministerial engagement.
During their discussions, Shri Piyush Goyal and Commissioner Šefčovič reviewed progress across key areas. These included market access for goods, rules of origin, and services. Both sides acknowledged steady advancement across several chapters.
At the same time, the leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to constructive engagement. They stressed the need for a fair and balanced agreement.
Talks reaffirm political resolve on India-EU FTA
Both sides underlined the strategic importance of concluding a comprehensive trade pact. Therefore, they emphasised alignment with shared values, economic priorities, and a rules-based trading system.
The Ministerial discussions reflected strong political resolve at the highest level. Moreover, both sides agreed that sustained engagement remained essential to bridge remaining differences.
The visit marked the culmination of a week of diplomatic and technical efforts in Brussels. As a result, officials expressed confidence in maintaining momentum toward closure.
At the conclusion of the visit, both parties conveyed renewed determination to work toward an early outcome. They described the proposed agreement as modern, ambitious, and mutually beneficial.
