India-EU FTA likely to rollout in mid-2027, PM Modi to travel to Brussels

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The Economic Times daily newspaper is available online now. Read Today's Paper India-EU FTA likely to rollout in mid-2027, PM Modi to travel to Brussels for official signing in December: Top EU lawmakerBy ET OnlineLast Updated: Oct 30, 2026, 09:19:00 AM ISTSynopsis

The European Parliament anticipates that the India-EU Free Trade Agreement will be signed by mid-December 2026. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend the signing ceremony in Brussels. The agreement seeks to deepen investments and reduce supply-chain dependencies between India and the EU. Closer collaboration on defense and cybersecurity is also a priority for both parties.

The European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee Chair, David McAllister, said the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is expected to be signed by mid-December 2026 and a consent vote is expected by spring next year, paving the way for the trade agreement to officially enter into force by mid-2027, TOI reported on Friday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to travel to Brussels for the official signing ceremony in December, McAllister told TOI in an interview.

Also Read: ‘Very high’ expectations from India-EU FTA, says Rotterdam port chief

The "mother of all deals" will undergo rigorous scrutiny by the European Parliament, but the lawmaker said he was confident of smooth ratification, given the benefits it would bring to both sides. McAllister led an EU Parliamentary delegation to India this week.

"Though Parliament cannot amend the text of the agreement, our consent is required before it enters into force. I followed the debate in the European Parliament over the past months, and I can say there seems to be a broad majority support for this landmark FTA. The benefits for both sides are so huge that I'm sure the European Parliament will give its support in the consent vote," he said.

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FTA to deepen investment, reduce supply-chain dependencies

The agreement is expected to go beyond trade liberalisation, strengthening investment flows and helping both sides diversify supply chains amid growing concerns over economic dependencies and geopolitical risks.

McAllister said the EU would particularly welcome progress on a separate investment protection agreement, which could boost European investor confidence in India, encourage greater investments and contribute to job creation.

He said the FTA would also allow India and the EU to work more closely on de-risking supply chains and reducing dependencies.

India, EU eye closer defence-industrial cooperation

On defence and security cooperation, McAllister backed closer collaboration between India and the European defence industry, saying it was in the interest of both sides. He identified information sharing, research cooperation and cybersecurity as key areas where the partnership could expand.

Also Read: FTA with India will be a game changer in supply chain management: EU ambassador to India

"We in Europe, as part of our strategic sovereignty, want to reduce the dependence on one particular country, and I understand that the debate in India is very similar. You also want to step-by-step reduce your dependence, and I think this is a very good win-win situation for both sides," he said.

McAllister also highlighted a convergence of interests between India and the EU in keeping the Indo-Pacific free and open, and reducing reliance on any one country.
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