India and European Union sign Free Trade Agreement conclusion document during 16th Summit in New Delhi

Key facts

• India and the European Union (EU) formally signed the conclusion document for their Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on 27 January 2026.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi co-chaired the 16th India–EU Summit in New Delhi with European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
• The EU leaders served as the Chief Guests for the 77th Republic Day of India, marking the first time EU leaders have held this position.
• A military contingent representing the European Union Military Staff and EU Naval Operations ATALANTA and ASPIDES participated in the Republic Day Parade for the first time.
• Under the FTA, India will reduce car import tariffs from 110% to 10% and phase out duties on auto components over a period of 5 to 10 years.
• The leaders adopted the Towards 2030: India–EU Joint Comprehensive Strategic Agenda to guide cooperation in prosperity, technology, security, connectivity, and people-to-people ties.
• The India–EU Security and Defence Partnership was signed as the first overarching framework to enhance cooperation in maritime security, cyber threats, and counter-terrorism.
• Both parties agreed to launch negotiations on a Security of Information Agreement to facilitate the exchange of classified information.
• The India–EU Agreement for Scientific and Technological Cooperation was renewed until 2030, with talks beginning on India’s association with the Horizon Europe research programme.
• New initiatives established include the India–EU Task Force on Green Hydrogen and the India-EU Wind Business Summit scheduled for 2026.
• The two sides signed an Administrative Arrangement on Disaster Risk Management to enhance coordination in disaster preparedness and response.
• A pilot European Legal Gateway Office will be launched to support the movement of workers, initially focusing on the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector.
• The leaders agreed to launch an Education and Skills Dialogue in 2026 to facilitate the recognition of qualifications and promote vocational education.
• The 17th India–EU Summit is scheduled to take place in Brussels in 2027.