India-EU Set Deadline for Free Trade Agreement

On 28th February 2025, India and the European Union (EU) reaffirmed their commitment to finalise negotiations for the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by the end of this year, following high-level discussions between Prime Minister and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Key Points

Unprecedented Diplomatic Engagement: The visit of the European Commission President saw discussions involving 20 Indian Union Ministers and their EU counterparts on trade, technology, energy, and connectivity.
Strategic Collaborations: Key advancements were made in India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) working groups on digital governance, clean energy, and investment.
6G & AI Cooperation: The Bharat 6G Alliance and EU 6G Smart Networks signed an MoU, while India AI Mission and the European AI Office deepened AI collaboration.
Green Energy Commitments: India and the EU announced joint funding of €60 million for research in EVs, sustainable plastics, and green hydrogen, alongside plans for an India-EU Green Hydrogen Forum.