ENA Global 2024-12-20 17:15:17 <p><span style="font-size:14px"><strong>New Delhi, Dec 20 (KNN)</strong> India's Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and European Commissioner for Trade Maros Sefcovic conducted video conference discussions on Thursday regarding the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations and other strategic partnerships.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">This marked their first introductory meeting since the formation of the new European Commission.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">The high-level dialogue covered various aspects of India-EU relations, including the Trade and Technology Council, trade negotiations, and investment matters, according to an official ministry statement.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">Following the meeting, Commissioner Sefcovic expressed on social media platform X that while the EU-India trade and investment relationship has yet to reach its full potential, the discussions presented an opportunity to strengthen strategic ties.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">During the meeting, Minister Goyal acknowledged the re-election of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for a second term by the European Parliament in July 2024, while noting Prime Minister Modi's unprecedented third mandate in India.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">Both leaders emphasised that this political continuity could foster deeper bilateral relations amid global uncertainties.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">The discussion highlighted the progress of FTA negotiations, which have completed nine rounds. Both parties acknowledged that the talks now require strategic political guidance to reach a commercially viable agreement that considers each side's sensitivities.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">Minister Goyal specifically addressed concerns about non-tariff barriers impeding trade, emphasising the importance of resolving long-standing issues as a confidence-building measure.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">The leaders agreed to pursue a balanced and ambitious FTA that would benefit the combined population of approximately 2 billion people across India and the EU.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">They committed to arranging a bilateral visit through diplomatic channels at a mutually convenient time to better understand each other's positions and concerns.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px"><em><strong>(KNN Bureau)</strong></em></span></p> 40335 https://knnindia.co.in/news/newsdetails/global/india-eu-fta-talks-gain-momentum-as-goyal-and-sefcovic-discuss-strategic-ties 2024-12-20 17:15:17 knnindia.co.in