India and EU Near Conclusion of Free Trade Agreement and Security Partnership

India and the European Union are poised to announce the conclusion of negotiations on a long-awaited Free Trade Agreement (FTA) during the 16th India-EU Summit in New Delhi on January 27, 2026. The deal, described as the 'mother of all trade deals,' aims to create a market of nearly two billion people and reduce reliance on China, Russia, and the US. Alongside the FTA, the two sides will formalize a Security and Defence Strategic Partnership to enhance cooperation in maritime security, cyber defence, and counterterrorism. Discussions also include agreements on mobility frameworks and digital cooperation. While key issues like agriculture and carbon border taxes remain sensitive, both parties express optimism about finalizing the pact, which is expected to deepen economic ties and strategic collaboration amid shifting global geopolitical dynamics.