Jaishankar Meets EU Trade Commissioner
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with European Trade and Economic Security Commissioner Maros Sefcovic in New Delhi before a new round of India-EU trade discussions.
In a post on X, Jaishankar stated, "It was a pleasure to meet European Trade & Economic Security Commissioner @MarosSefcovic in New Delhi today." "Assured that the Commissioner and his team will engage in fruitful conversations in India."
According to reports, negotiating teams from India and the European Union will engage in a two-day round of talks regarding the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA), starting Monday and extending.
The gathering signifies another advance in initiatives to strengthen India-EU economic relations. FTA discussions between the two parties resumed in June 2022 after a prolonged hiatus.
EU Ambassador to India Herve Delphin, speaking at India's World Annual Conclave 2025 last week, stated that the ongoing discussions signify a total change in strategy, labeling it as "EU-India FTA negotiation 2.0."
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"I would argue it's a different FTA negotiation compared to ten years ago." It doesn't represent a continuum. "Therefore, do not view this FTA negotiation with a perspective from the past," Delphin stated.
He mentioned that both parties now possess "an increasing sense of mutual necessity and complementarity," which was evident during the European Commission's visit to India earlier this year.
Delphin noted that worldwide trade conflicts have heightened the need for a reliable, rules-based system.
"Certainly, there is a heightened awareness of saliency due to the ongoing tariff wars and the tariff initiatives that are evident." “I believe this is an FTA that encompasses more than just trade,” the envoy mentioned while speaking at a panel discussion.
He remarked on the joint economic significance of the two allies, stating, "Considering that the EU and India together represent 25 percent of global GDP and 25 percent of the world's population, that’s insignificant." Establishing an FTA between these two entities has implications. "That has significance."
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He mentioned that the agreement would assist both parties in "mitigating risks in this highly tense global economic landscape," and stressed that the EU's FTA history demonstrates ongoing benefits for everyone involved.
It offers a lasting advantage since the track record of European FTAs with any partner—verified with any partner—has consistently been mutually beneficial. It has been advantageous for both parties. Commerce has expanded. Employment opportunities have increased. Investments have increased. Therefore, we are not engaged in a zero-sum game. "Let's refer to it as the European art of negotiation or something like that," Delphin remarked.
Delphin mentioned there exists "a firm political determination to finalize the FTA talks by year-end." He pointed out that both parties have consented to abandon the conventional method of formal negotiation sessions.
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"At this moment, we are in an ongoing negotiation phase. Starting tomorrow, a team of around 40 European negotiators will arrive in Delhi," he stated.