India and EU Review Progress on Strategic FTA Partnership
India and the EU review progress on their strategic partnership and FTA, covering trade, investment, supply chains, clean energy, critical technologies and research cooperation.
India and the European Union (EU) review the progress of their strategic partnership, including trade, investment and developments surrounding the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA), during the seventh India-EU Strategic Partnership Review Meeting in New Delhi on November 9, 2026.
The meeting is co-chaired by Sibi George, Secretary (West) in India's Ministry of External Affairs, and Matti Maasikas, Deputy Secretary-General for Geoeconomics and Interinstitutional Issues of the European Union. Both sides assess progress in implementing the Joint Comprehensive Strategic Agenda adopted at the India-EU Summit in January 2026. The discussions cover the broader scope of bilateral cooperation and identify areas requiring continued engagement.
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Trade and investment remain central to the discussions, alongside supply chain resilience, economic security, clean energy transition, critical technologies, research and connectivity. The two sides also review cooperation in talent mobility and people-to-people exchanges, reflecting the expanding scope of their economic and strategic relationship.
The India-EU FTA represents a major component of this partnership. Both sides conclude negotiations on the agreement earlier in 2026, creating the framework for expanded market access, stronger trade flows and greater investment opportunities. The proposed agreement is expected to cover a market of more than two billion people, representing approximately one-quarter of the global economy.
The formal signing and implementation process remains an important priority. European Council President António Costa previously indicates that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Brussels in December 2026 to sign the agreement. However, India's Ministry of External Affairs states in October that legal and procedural scrutiny of the agreement's text remains underway, with the formal signing date to be announced after the necessary processes are completed.
In another significant development, India and the EU complete negotiations for India's association with Horizon Europe, the European Union's flagship research and innovation programme. The association is expected to provide Indian researchers, academic institutions and industries with opportunities to participate in collaborative research projects, access European research infrastructure and engage with international innovation networks.
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The latest review meeting underscores the commitment of India and the EU to advance their comprehensive strategic partnership through trade, technological collaboration, sustainable development and research. Progress on the FTA and Horizon Europe is expected to create additional avenues for economic cooperation and strengthen long-term engagement between the two sides.
