India set to sign free trade agreement with European Union on December 16

India and the European Union are poised to formalize their free trade agreement with a signing ceremony set for December 16, according to official schedules. The agreement represents the culmination of years of negotiations aimed at deepening bilateral commercial relations between the world's largest democracy and the 27-nation European bloc.

The signing will take place during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled visit to Belgium, part of a broader diplomatic and economic engagement tour planned for December. The Prime Minister's month-long itinerary will also include official visits to Canada and the United States, where separate trade negotiations are progressing or awaiting final approvals.

The India-EU FTA is expected to enhance market access for Indian exporters across sectors including pharmaceuticals, information technology, and agricultural products, while opening the Indian market to European goods and services. The agreement encompasses goods, services, investments, and government procurement, positioning it as a comprehensive trade framework.

The timing of the agreement reflects both sides' commitment to strengthening economic cooperation amid evolving global trade dynamics. India has been actively pursuing free trade agreements with major economies and blocs as part of its broader foreign trade strategy to boost exports and attract foreign investment.

Once signed, the pact will require ratification by the European Parliament and Indian lawmakers before it can enter into force, a process expected to unfold over the coming months.