After nearly two decades of negotiations, India’s trade pacts with the EU and the UK are edging closer to reality, with ratification expected by November 2026.
The European Union is expected to finalise ratification of its free trade agreement (FTA) with India by the end of November 2026. The broader comprehensive economic and trade agreement (CETA) with the UK is anticipated to come into force by late April 2026.
Legal review of the India-EU FTA is scheduled to conclude by July, after which the ratification process will begin. The agreement, finalised on 27 January 2026, is designed as an ‘exclusive’ trade pact, requiring approval only from the European Parliament rather than all 27 member states. Once the legal text is complete, the European Council must endorse it before the Parliament votes.
Negotiations for the FTA began in 2007 but stalled in 2013 over disputes on tariffs for automobiles and spirits. Talks were revived in 2021, with formal negotiations resuming in June 2022. Fourteen rounds of discussions and several high-level meetings eventually led to the deal’s conclusion earlier.
The agreement grants India market access for more than 99% of its exports to the EU by trade value, alongside commitments in services and mobility for skilled professionals. In return, India will reduce or eliminate tariffs on 96.6% to 97.5% of EU exports, including phased cuts on high-end cars and lower duties on wine and spirits.
Meanwhile, India and the UK signed CETA in July 2025. The deal, debated in both houses of Parliament, will allow 99% of Indian exports to enter the UK duty-free, while India will reduce tariffs on 90% of UK imports.
Officials also noted that the ongoing conflict in West Asia could delay trade talks with the Gulf Cooperation Council and Israel, though discussions remain active.
