India and the 27‑nation European Union wrapped up negotiations for the free‑trade agreement on 27 January, a milestone that Delhi says will be the EU’s quickest pact ever.
The agreement’s final legal text should be signed before the end of 2026, with enforcement slated for March or April 2027 once all 27 members ratify it.
The deal is projected to bring 76% of global GDP – about $85 trillion – under the two trading partners’ umbrella, a figure that underscores the scale of the opportunity for Indian firms.
Goyal warned that European states still impose heavy regulatory burdens on industry, a factor he believes could chill European investment, while India pledges to streamline its own procedures to attract capital.
With 1.4 billion consumers and an economy expected to rise from $4 trillion to $30 trillion by 2047, Delhi says the deal will make India a 'compulsive business proposition' for global investors.
The next step will see the agreement signed in a Delhi‑hosted ceremony, after which the EU will confirm ratification through its member states, paving the way for India to tap into the world’s largest trading bloc.