Rajesh Agrawal meets EU officials to advance India-EU trade deal
- Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal met with European Commission officials in Brussels to discuss trade and investment.
- The India-EU FTA, concluded in January 2026, is currently undergoing legal scrubbing before a planned December signing.
- Discussions focused on customs cooperation, market access, and supply chain resilience.
- Agrawal engaged with BusinessEurope to promote India's economic growth and investment opportunities.
- Bilateral merchandise trade between India and the EU reached approximately USD 136.54 billion in 2024-25.
Indian Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal held a series of high-level meetings in Brussels on November 1 and 2, 2026, to advance the strategic and economic partnership between India and the European Union. These discussions focused on trade facilitation, market access, and preparations for the India-EU Free Trade Agreement.
Trade facilitation and market access discussions
Agrawal met with Ditte Juul Jørgensen, Director-General of DG TRADE, to discuss the facilitation of two-way trade. These meetings also addressed the improvement of market access and the strengthening of supply chain resilience.
According to socialnews.xyz, the discussions included specific measures for facilitating two-way trade and improving market access.
Both parties agreed to remain engaged to resolve outstanding procedural and implementation issues.
Customs cooperation and digital trade procedures
Both parties emphasized that efficient, transparent, and digitally enabled customs procedures are necessary to reduce transaction costs. They stated that such procedures are required to support the movement of legitimate trade.
Development partnerships and green technology initiatives
Rajesh Agrawal met with Koen Doens, Director-General of DG INTPA, to discuss strategic development cooperation. The two sides exchanged views on sustainable development, clean energy, and green technologies.
Business engagement and diamond industry cooperation
Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal participated in a BusinessEurope roundtable to discuss strengthening trade and investment ties. He addressed the improvement of market access and the enhancement of supply chain resilience with European industry representatives. Agrawal also discussed the status of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement during this meeting.
Agrawal highlighted India's economic growth and reform momentum to the European industry representatives. He invited these businesses to increase their engagement and participate in India's expanding value chains.
Regarding the gems and jewellery sector, Agrawal held an informal interaction with diamond industry representatives on 30 October 2026 at the Embassy of India in Brussels. The discussion focused on the global diamond value chain, responsible sourcing, certification, and traceability requirements.
India and Belgium have identified the gems and jewellery sector as a key area for deeper cooperation. Antwerp, Mumbai, and Surat are recognised as major diamond centres.
Bilateral trade statistics for 2024-25
India's exports to the EU accounted for USD 75.85 billion, or Rs 6.4 lakh crore, of that merchandise total.
Trade in services between India and the EU reached approximately USD 83.10 billion, or Rs 7.2 lakh crore.
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