The India-EU FTA: Game-Changer

Chronicle the evolution and eventual completion of a historic free trade agreement between India and the European Union, a process that spanned nearly two decades. Early reports highlight a long-standing negotiating deadlock rooted in concerns over intellectual property, market access, and the distribution of economic gains. Later sources celebrate the 2026 conclusion of the deal, describing it as a strategic reset that reduces tariffs on over 90% of goods while deepening cooperation in digital payments and financial services. The text also includes an impact assessment of a separate UK-India trade deal, focusing on small business support and environmental standards. Collectively, these sources frame the agreements as essential tools for economic diversification and geopolitical stability in an increasingly fractured global market. Overall, the analysis suggests that while the deal offers significant growth potential for sectors like textiles and agriculture, both parties must carefully manage the social and environmental side effects of liberalization.