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Informist, Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025

 

--Minister Goyal: Still need to discuss some issues around EU-India deal 

--CONTEXT:Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal's comments at FICCI event in Mumbai 

--Minister Goyal: Positive on taking EU-India deal to finish line soon 

--Minister Goyal: India, Italy should work to set up waste-to-energy plants 

 

MUMBAI – Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday said India and the European Union still need to iron out a few pending issues before concluding the long-pending free trade agreement, though both sides remain "positive" about taking the deal to its finish line soon. 

 

Speaking at an event organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Mumbai, which was also attended by Italy's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, Goyal said New Delhi and Brussels had held "extensive engagement this week" and were in the process of creating an enabling framework for the proposed EU-India deal. 

 

"Within eight months, this is our third engagement. I haven't had such a strong bond with any country in the last six years as commerce minister," Goyal said, adding that India hoped Italy would support efforts to resolve remaining concerns, including matters linked to the EU customs union.

 

He added that political guidance from EU member states such as Italy will be crucial for resolving the remaining sticking points, reaffirming confidence that the agreement could be finalised soon.

 

Stressing that the agreement will expand market access and secure supply chains across sectors such as automobiles, textiles, and pharmaceuticals, he also flagged that these industries face "concentration and ability to weaponise...by one company or one geography". To address regulatory frictions, the minister called for mutual recognition agreements on certifications and alignment on India's quality control orders.

 

Goyal further said India and Italy could work closely across multiple sectors, including automobiles, waste-to-energy, textiles, and pharma, and expressed hope that Rome would back India's bid to host the Olympic Games in the future.

 

While emphasising the need for smoother trade flows, he noted that India had already explored a customs union or facilitation mechanism with the United Arab Emirates and suggested similar cooperation could be developed with Italy as the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor gains momentum.  End

 

Written by Pallavi Singhal

 

Reported by Shreya Shetty and Anshul Choudhary

Edited by Tanima Banerjee

 

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