India and EU Near Completion of Free Trade Agreement Ahead of January Summit

India and the European Union are nearing the conclusion of a free trade agreement, expected to be announced around January 27 during a high-level summit coinciding with Republic Day celebrations. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal described the pact as the "mother of all deals," highlighting its mutual benefits and balanced trade in goods and services. Sensitive agricultural issues and the EU's carbon border tax remain unresolved, with negotiations ongoing to address these before finalization. The agreement aims to boost Indian exports and strengthen economic ties with the 27-nation bloc.