India-EU FTA Text Sent to European Council for Signature

The India-EU Free Trade Agreement has moved a step closer to completion, with the European Commission forwarding the negotiated text to the European Council for signature and conclusion. The move indicates that legal vetting and finalisation of the agreement are complete, leaving only internal approvals on both sides.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Commission said it had put forward proposals seeking authorisation from the Council to sign and conclude the FTA between the European Union and India. The full text of the agreement has also been made public.

The EU's Ambassador-designate to India and Bhutan, Jean-Eric Paquet, described the development on social media as one that would clear the path for early approval.

Under the EU's institutional setup, the European Council sets the grouping's political direction, the European Commission functions as its executive and proposes legislation, and the European Parliament votes on and passes laws. The Commission's proposal now requires the Council's approval to sign the agreements, followed by the European Parliament's consent before the pact can be concluded and brought into force.

The Commission noted that Indian authorities are simultaneously carrying out their own internal ratification procedures. It added that the proposal follows the fast-track procedure outlined earlier this year by EU Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maroš Šefčovič, aimed at accelerating the implementation of free trade agreements amid geopolitical uncertainty and mounting pressure on the global trading system.

Leaders on both sides have repeatedly expressed confidence that the agreement will enter into force in early 2027.