India and the European Union have discussed key implementation issues of their Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which is scheduled to be formally signed in December 2026. The discussions took place during Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal’s visit to Brussels, focusing on customs cooperation, trade facilitation and preparations for implementing the agreement.

Both sides emphasised the importance of transparent, efficient and digitally enabled customs procedures to reduce trade costs and ensure smoother movement of goods. The agreement, whose negotiations concluded on January 27, is expected to provide duty-free access to Indian labour-intensive sectors, including textiles, leather, and gems and jewellery.

The discussions also covered opportunities for cooperation in the global diamond value chain, including certification, traceability and responsible sourcing, strengthening trade ties between India and the European Union.