India is quietly but steadily positioning itself at the centre of global trade networks. With multiple free trade agreements (FTAs) and strategic partnerships under discussion, the country is signalling rising ambitions for economic cooperation across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has been candid, “The government is in active negotiations with several countries for Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).”At the same time, India is carefully balancing its relationships with Russia while steadily improving ties with China.Europe seeks a new strategic agenda with IndiaOn September 17, 2025, the European Commission unveiled a ‘New Strategic EU-India Agenda’ in Brussels, aiming to strengthen cooperation with India in trade, security, and defence.EU Vice-President Kaja Kallas described India as a “crucial” partner. She said the strategy spans trade, technology, security, defence, and climate, and noted that “the EU and India have the potential and determination to shape one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century.” Kallas also highlighted ongoing discussions on sharing classified information and deepening defence industry ties, though some EU member states remain cautious.Separately, EU trade chief Maroš Šefčovič recently visited India to discuss a free trade agreement (FTA) with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal. The agenda calls for fast-tracking this FTA while also expanding cooperation on crisis management, maritime security, cyber defence, counterterrorism, and defence industry collaboration.The push comes amid the war in Ukraine, where Russia’s actions complicate EU-India relations. “India’s participation in Russia’s military exercises and its purchase of Russian oil stand in the way of closer ties, because ultimately, our partnership is not only about trade, but also about defending rules-based international order,” Kallas said.The agenda also emphasizes regional connectivity projects like the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, labour mobility, and closer engagement with the business community.FTA negotiations with the EU move forwardThe 14th round of trade talks is scheduled in Brussels from October 6-10.Recently, Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani reaffirmed Rome’s commitment to finalising the Free Trade Agreement between India and the EU during a meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Goyal on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.“Italy and India share a strategic political and economic partnership that we intend to strengthen with my further visit to India in the coming months,” Tajani said. He also confirmed Italy’s support for rapid finalisation of the FTA.The EU is India’s second-largest trading partner, with goods trade reaching EUR 120 billion in 2024, representing 11.5 per cent of India’s total trade. Conversely, India ranks as the EU’s ninth-largest trading partner, accounting for 2.4 per cent of the bloc’s goods trade.Šefčovič noted that while trade has grown over 90% in the past decade, much potential remains untapped, particularly in agriculture and non-tariff barriers.India-EAEU FTA talks set to beginIndia is also moving forward with an FTA with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), which includes Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, and Russia. The first round of talks is expected to focus on core elements of the prospective deal, paving the way for more detailed discussions.The Russian embassy indicated that the initial round of negotiations is likely to take place in early November, though the Indian government has not officially confirmed this.“The Ministers agreed on an approach under which the first round of negotiations is set to take place in early November this year in India and focus on discussing the core aspects of the future deal,” the embassy said.......Read more at:https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/foreign-trade/india-global-trade-fta-eu-eaeu-efta-uae-oman-taiwan-investment-semiconductors-economic-partnership/articleshow/124208554.cms (ICE MUMBAI)

Fonte notizia: The Economic Times