HomeEconomy NewsIndia to hold FTA talks with the European Union, Qatar in 1st week of October
India is set to hold Free Trade Agreement talks with the European Union and Qatar in early October, aiming to diversify exports and cushion labour-intensive sectors from US tariffs, sources said.
Amid global uncertainties and the implementation of the India-EFTA Free Trade Agreement from October 1, India is moving to broaden its trade portfolio through negotiations with multiple regions.
Government sources told CNBC-TV18 that talks on the India-EU Free Trade Agreement are progressing well and are “on track to be concluded by year-end,” with India’s trade delegation scheduled to visit Brussels from October 6–10 for the 14th round of discussions.
India seeks greater access for labour-intensive exports to the EU, while the bloc aims to boost exports of automobiles and liquor to India. The EU’s recent approval of India’s fisheries exports is expected to offset losses caused by US tariffs on the sector.
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal will visit Singapore in the first week of October, followed by Qatar and South Africa, where he will meet the EU Trade Commissioner during the G20 Trade Ministers’ meeting. Sources noted that India and Qatar may finalise the Terms of Reference for an FTA ahead of Goyal’s visit to accelerate bilateral negotiations.
India already has an FTA with the UAE and is close to concluding one with Oman, while Bahrain is keen on an FTA. Talks are ongoing with other GCC members, with a Bilateral Investment Treaty also being negotiated with Saudi Arabia.
India’s exports to the GCC fell 4.5% year-on-year to $13,612 million in April–June 2025, while imports rose 11.03% to $30,598 million, underscoring the urgency to diversify export markets in Europe and West Asia in response to US tariffs.
(Edited by : Sheersh Kapoor)