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Free Trade Agreements Push Gains Momentum: India Eyes Deals With EU, US, New Zealand
The year 2026 will be the year of free trade agreements. India is likely to sign FTAs with the European Union and New Zealand. Implementation of the FTA with the UK will begin in March or April. Trade agreements are also possible with Peru and Chile. CIPA with Oman is scheduled for December 18th.
In the area of trade, the year 2026 will shape up as the year of free trade agreements (FTAs). The initial FTA in the coming year can actually start with the European Union (EU), then later with the country of New Zealand. Also expected in the coming year are the start of trade agreements with Peru and Chile.
Nine rounds of trade negotiations have been held for a trade agreement with Peru, and four for one with Chile. Negotiations for a trade agreement with Canada have recently been reopened and are now underway. Six rounds of negotiations for a bilateral trade agreement with the US have also been held, with the first phase of this agreement possibly being reached during the coming year.
According to Commerce Ministry sources, the Commerce and Industry Minister will visit Brussels, the headquarters of the European Union, in January, and it is highly expected that the trade agreement between India and the EU will be finalized during this period. The EU team was in India between December 3 and 9 for trade negotiations. A meeting was held between the EU and Indian Commerce Ministers on December 8-9, where various instructions were given to the teams on finalizing the trade agreement.
