Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
An al-Quds Brigades field commander to Al Mayadeen: We tell the enemy soldiers that we are not far from you, and you will see our faces whenever we decide to, because we are waging a harsh and complex battle of attrition
An al-Quds Brigades field commander to Al Mayadeen: The enemy is advancing toward the heart of Gaza City under the watchful eyes of our Resistance fighters with their tactics focused on valuable targets
An al-Quds Brigades field commander to Al Mayadeen: The enemy is advancing slowly and using unmanned vehicles to uncover and target combat nodes, which we are aware of
An al-Quds Brigades field commander to Al Mayadeen: We carried out a number of heroic operations, and the enemy, as usual, is lying and misleading the public about its human losses
An al-Quds Brigades field commander to Al Mayadeen: The enemy is making the most of previous battles to minimize its losses
Israeli media: Netanyahu summons Ben-Gvir and Smotrich for immediate meeting
Sheikh Qassem: Trump presented the plan at this time to absolve "Israel" from its crimes before international public opinion
Sheikh Qassem: Trump's plan is, in fact, consistent with the five principles set by Israel to end the war, making it an Israeli plan in American guise
Sheikh Qassem: The American plan has undergone modifications to suit "Israel's" interests
Sheikh Qassem: The US plan is fraught with dangers

India, EU agree to conclude free trade deal by year-end

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies + News websites
  • 28 Feb 2025 14:52
4 Min Read

The EU remains India's largest trading partner in goods, with bilateral trade surging nearly 90% over the past decade to reach $137.5 billion in the 2023/24 fiscal year.

  • x
  • Eu, india
    European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (L) speaks with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi before their meeting at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi on February 28, 2025 (AFP)

India and the European Union agreed on Friday to finalize a free trade agreement by the end of the year, marking their first commitment to a deadline after years of negotiations amid aims to mitigate the impact of US tariff hikes.

The announcement was made during a joint press conference by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who was on a two-day visit to India, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.  

Both sides have long sought to establish a free trade pact, which would require India—one of the world’s most protected markets—to make significant concessions.

India and the European Union resumed negotiations on a long-pending free trade agreement in 2021 and are set to hold another round of talks in March. Additionally, an India-EU summit is scheduled for later this year.

"We have prepared a blueprint for collaboration in the areas of trade, technology, investment, innovation, green growth, security, skilling and mobility," Modi stated, adding that officials have been instructed to conclude the deal by year-end.

The EU remains India's largest trading partner in goods, with bilateral trade surging nearly 90% over the past decade to reach $137.5 billion in the 2023/24 fiscal year.

Von der Leyen emphasized the need for an "ambitious" trade and investment agreement, encompassing sectors such as batteries, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, clean hydrogen, and defense. 

"I am well aware it will not be easy. But I also know that timing and determination counts," she indicated, highlighting that such an agreement would be the largest deal of this kind anywhere in the world. 

Additionally, von der Leyen stated that both sides are working toward renewed cooperation on security and stability and are exploring the possibility of a "Security and Defence Partnership" with India, similar to the EU’s existing agreements with Japan and South Korea.  

Related News

Putin warns Europe on militarization, calls Gaza war a tragedy

Europe's air safety at risk from staff, budget cuts

Her visit, accompanied by EU leaders, comes amid escalating geopolitical tensions and as US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose reciprocal tariffs on all nations, including the EU and India, by April. 

Brussels is keen to strengthen its presence in the Indo-Pacific, particularly as tensions between the US and Europe escalate over trade tariffs and Ukraine following Donald Trump’s return to the White House.

Trump has announced plans to impose 25% tariffs on goods produced in the European Union, alleging that the bloc was established to "screw the US."  In response, the EU vowed to retaliate "firmly and immediately" against any unjustified tariffs. 

Progress on the deal had been stalled for years due to India's reluctance to reduce tariffs in key sectors, while the EU hesitated to ease visa restrictions on Indian professionals.  

The EU is pressing India to lower tariffs exceeding 100% on imported cars, whiskey, and wine, while India seeks greater access for its pharmaceutical and chemical industries in the European market.

Additionally, New Delhi is pushing for reduced tariffs on its exports of textiles, garments, and leather products and opposes an EU plan to impose tariffs of 20% to 35% on high-carbon goods—including steel, aluminum, and cement—from January 2026.

After years of hesitancy toward free trade agreements, India has increasingly engaged in trade negotiations with multiple countries and economic blocs.  

This week, India and the UK resumed free trade talks, nearly a year after negotiations were paused ahead of general elections in both countries.  

In 2023, India signed a $100 billion free trade agreement with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA)—comprising four non-EU European nations—following nearly 16 years of negotiations.

Read more: Musk's DOGE USAID claims spark controversy in India

  • Europe
  • Ursula von der Leyen
  • India
  • Narendra Modi
  • EU
  • European Union

Most Read

Hamas fighters stand in formation ahead of a ceremony to hand over Israeli captives to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, Gaza Strip, Feb. 22, 2025. (AP)

Hamas reviews Trump’s Gaza ceasefire plan as PIJ rejects

  • Palestine
  • 30 Sep 2025
Iraq at a crossroads: A new war front?

Iraq at a crossroads: A new war front?

  • West Asia
  • 30 Sep 2025
Trump’s 21-point Gaza plan vs Netanyahu’s demand for Hamas defeat

Trump vows 'something special' in ME; Israeli delegation in chaos

  • US & Canada
  • 28 Sep 2025
A Hamas fighter in combat fatigues stands before the ceremony for the handover of Israeli captives to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, Saturday, February 22, 2025 (AP)

Hamas responds to Trump plan, backs Gaza withdrawal, exchange

  • Politics
  • 3 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Saudi-Pakistan defense pact reshapes Gulf balance rattles India.
Politics

Saudi-Pakistan defense pact reshapes Gulf balance rattles India

Taliban foreign minister granted UN waiver for landmark India visit
Politics

Taliban foreign minister granted UN waiver for landmark India visit

An Iranian police officer stands guard during the funeral ceremony of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and his bodyguard, at Azadi (Freedom) St. in Tehran, Iran, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024. (AP)
Politics

Iran executes six 'Israel'-linked terrorists behind deadly attacks

World leaders hail Hamas’ response to Trump’s Gaza ceasefire plan
Politics

World leaders hail Hamas’ response to Trump’s Gaza ceasefire plan

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS