FM Nirmala Sitharaman Meets EU Delegation To Boost India-EU Trade & Investment Ties

Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday met members of the Committee on International Trade Affairs (INTA) from the European Parliament in New Delhi to discuss ways to strengthen economic cooperation between India and the European Union (EU).

According to a post by the finance ministry on X, the meeting focused on enhancing trade and investment relations, with both sides expressing commitment to building deeper and mutually beneficial partnerships.

“Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman met the Committee on International Trade Affairs (INTA) from the European Parliament, in New Delhi, today. The discussion with the delegation focused on enhancing India-EU trade and investment ties,

with both sides looking forward to deeper and mutually beneficial cooperation,” the finance ministry said in the post on October 29, 2025.

Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairrs Smt. @nsitharaman met the Committee on International Trade Affairs #INTA from the European Parliament @Europarl_EN, in New Delhi, today.

The discussion with the delegation focused on enhancing India–EU trade and investment… pic.twitter.com/kP6TTZsEue

— Ministry of Finance (@FinMinIndia) October 29, 2025

The European Parliament’s INTA Committee plays a key role in shaping the EU’s trade policies and external economic relations. The discussions come at a time when India and the EU are working towards finalising a free trade agreement (FTA), negotiations for which have been ongoing to create a more balanced and growth-oriented framework for bilateral trade.

Meanwhile, the commerce ministry on Wednesday said India and the EU agreed that issues related to steel, auto, carbon border adjustment mechanism and other regulations need more discussions due to higher sensitivities.

“Both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to conclude the India-EU FTA by the end of 2025, following the clear direction from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen during the College of Commissioners’ visit to New Delhi in February 2025. The engagement focused on achieving a mutually beneficial, balanced and equitable trade agreement, reflecting the depth of political trust and the strategic ties between India and the European Union, and at the same time respecting each other’s sensitivities and priorities,” the ministry said.

India recognises the importance of ensuring that the FTA remains balanced in addressing both tariff and non-tariff barriers and creating transparent and predictable regulatory frameworks that accelerate trade for both partners in the coming years.

There was intensive engagement to explore possible landing zones on the outstanding issues. There was also a good discussion on India’s concerns on Non Tariff Measures and the new EU regulations. During the negotiations, HCIM emphasised the need for preferential treatment for India’s key asks, particularly those with respect to labour-intensive sectors. Both sides agreed to work closely to finalise the non-sensitive industrial tariff lines. They also agreed that issues related to Steel, Auto, CBAM, and other EU regulations still require further discussion, as these issues have higher sensitivities, according to the statement.

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal had held discussions on the proposed trade deal with the European Union during his visit to Brussels from October 26 to 28. His visit came soon after the 14th round of negotiations between the two sides, which took place from October 6 to 10.