Piyush Goyal, Maros Sefcovic review progress on India-EU FTA implementation
New Delhi, July 15
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Wednesday said he met Maros Sefcovic, EU Trade and Economic Security Commissioner, and reviewed the progress on the implementation of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement.
The two leaders also "explored avenues to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, critical technologies and resilient supply chains," Goyal posted on X.
Goyal and Sefcovic in March this year met on the sidelines of the 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in Cameroon, and reviewed progress on the India-EU FTA.
Both the leaders reviewed progress on the ongoing work towards the signing of the India-EU FTA, as announced by PM Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in January 2026 in New Delhi.
In Brussels, Goyal also held a productive meeting with Bernd Lange, Chairman of the Committee on International Trade (INTA), European Parliament.
"Discussed the India-EU FTA and the vast opportunities it offers for businesses, industries, and people on both sides, paving the way for a prosperous future. Also extended an invitation to him to visit India to further deepen our engagement," said Goyal.
India and Belgium earlier discussed ways to expand cooperation across trade, investment, technology, logistics and workforce mobility. Goyal had an excellent meeting with David Clarinval, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Employment, Economy, and Agriculture of Belgium.
"We also exchanged views on the transformative potential of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement and reaffirmed our shared commitment to further strengthening economic ties for the mutual benefit of our businesses and people," Goyal said in a post on X.
Goyal also met EU Commissioner for Climate, Net-Zero and Clean Growth, Wopke Hoekstra, and exchanged views on strengthening India-EU cooperation in clean growth, climate action and sustainable industrial development.
The discussions focused on expanding collaboration in renewable energy, green hydrogen, clean technologies, innovation, investments and resilient value chains to support our shared net-zero ambitions.
— IANS
Reader Comments
As someone who works in supply chain, the focus on resilient supply chains is crucial post-COVID. India could become a key manufacturing hub for Europe. But implementation will be the real test - these negotiations have been dragging for years. Let's hope this time it's different.
Good to see our ministers engaging with EU on clean growth and green hydrogen. India has huge potential in renewable energy. But I hope this FTA doesn't become another tool for big European companies to dump their products here while our small industries suffer. Need strict safeguards! 🌿
The EU keeps talking about climate and net-zero but then imposes carbon border taxes that will hurt Indian exports. This FTA must address these issues fairly. Otherwise it's just another photo op with no real benefits for our people. Hope our negotiators are tough!
Interesting to see both sides pushing for technology cooperation and workforce mobility. Indian IT professionals could benefit greatly from easier EU access. But I wonder if EU will also open up for our students and skilled workers? That's the real game-changer for people-to-people ties.
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