India and the European Union are close to finalising a major trade agreement after the European Commission moved the proposal forward for approval by the EU Council.
A final deal would matter because the EU is one of India's largest trading partners. Tariff reductions, services access, regulatory cooperation and investment rules could reshape trade in sectors ranging from manufacturing and automobiles to pharmaceuticals and digital services.
The strategic layer is equally important. India is trying to diversify trade relationships at a time of global tariff uncertainty, while Europe wants stronger economic links with large non-Chinese growth markets.
