India and EU conclude fourth round of proposed FTA negotiations

The fourth round of negotiations for a comprehensive free trade deal between India and the European Union (EU) was completed last week in Brussels.

After a hiatus of more than eight years, negotiations on the proposed trade, investment, and geographical indication agreement started between the two parties on June 17 of last year.

“Round 4 of India EU-FTA negotiations held in Brussels,” tweeted Nidhi Mani Tripathi, joint secretary for commerce and India’s senior negotiator for the deal.

The proposed trade treaty was first discussed with the EU in 2007, but negotiations ceased in 2013 due to a lack of agreement on a number of crucial points.

India’s merchandise exports to the EU were worth $65 billion in fiscal 2021-22, while imports were worth $51.4 billion.

The next round of the talks is scheduled for 12-16 June in New Delhi.