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India and the European Union (EU) chief negotiators will begin the next round of talks on the proposed free trade agreement (FTA) here from Monday, with an aim to conclude the first phase of the pact as early as possible, according to an official. The two sides have agreed to conclude the agreement in two phases on account of the uncertain global trade environment, particularly due to the US tariff actions under President Donald Trump. "The EU team will be here for the 11th round of negotiations. It will continue till May 16," the official said. Issues where there is convergence would be included in the first part of the agreement. They are aiming to conclude the second part by the end of this year. Talks for the previous (tenth) round focused on areas like market access offers in goods, services, investment and government procurement. India has followed the practice of negotiating trade pacts in two phases with Australia. It is following a similar approach to the US. Commerce ..
The leaders of four European countries arrived in Kyiv Saturday in a joint show of support as calls intensify for Russia to agree to a monthlong cease-fire in the war. The leaders of France, Germany, Poland and the United Kingdom arrived together at the train station in Kyiv, where they are expected to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The visit marked the first time the leaders of the four countries have travelled together to Ukraine, while Friedrich Merz is making a first visit to Ukraine as Germany's new Chancellor. Along with President Donald Trump, the European leaders are pushing for Russia to agree to a 30-day ceasefire to allow for peace talks on ending the conflict. We reiterate our backing for the President Trump's calls for a peace deal and call on Russia to stop obstructing efforts to secure an enduring peace, the leaders said in a joint statement.
India will impose retaliatory duties if the European Union goes ahead with its plan to levy a carbon tax on Indian products, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Tuesday. Under the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), Indian exports of steel, aluminum, and cement to the EU could face tariffs of 20-35 per cent. He said that gradually the talks about climate is dwindling and termed the CBAM as "very very irrational regulations". The minister asserted that the developed countries should share technologies and and finances to developing and least developing nations to deal with the issues related to climate change. "If they will put in carbon tax, and now there is a big if for obvious reasons. If they do put it in, we will retaliate. They will put it on products which really will hurt their own economy and the retaliation will further hurt their economy," Goyal said here at an function. "I think it will be very silly particularly to put tax on friendly countr
The European Union (EU) on Friday called on New Delhi and Islamabad to show "restraint" and pursue dialogue to defuse tensions amid speculation about India's possible retaliation against Pakistan in view of the cross-border linkages to the Pahalgam terror attack. Following separate phone conversations with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas said the rising tensions between the two neighbouring countries are "alarming" and the escalation of the situation helps "no one". "Rising tensions between India and Pakistan are alarming. I urge both sides to show restraint and pursue dialogue to ease the situation. Escalation helps no one," she said in a post on X. "I spoke to both @DrSJaishankar and @MishaqDar50 today to convey these messages," she added. On his part, Jaishankar welcomed the EU's "strong condemnation" of terrorism in all forms and manifestations. "Good to speak with EU
India has emphasised that resolving non-tariff barriers faced by businesses is as important as addressing import duty issues for meaningful progress in talks on the proposed free trade agreement with the European Union (EU), an official statement said on Friday. The progress of the talks was discussed during the meeting between Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic in Brussels. Both leaders also reaffirmed their shared resolve to conclude the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by the end of 2025. "India emphasised that meaningful progress in trade negotiations requires an equal focus on Non-tariff Barriers (NTBs) alongside tariff (import duty) discussions and regulatory frameworks must be inclusive, proportionate, and avoid restricting trade," the commerce ministry said. The country has earlier on multiple occasions flagged NTBs being faced by domestic industry in the European Union markets