India and EU reach landmark trade deal

India and the European Union have struck a long‑delayed deal that will slash tariffs on most goods, aiming to boost two‑way trade and reduce reliance on the United States amid growing global trade tensions.

The deal is expected to double EU exports to India by 2032 by eliminating or reducing tariffs in 96.6 percent of traded goods by value, and will lead to savings of $4.75 billion in duties for European companies, the EU said.

The EU will cut tariffs on 99.5 percent of goods imported from India over seven years, with tariffs to be cut to zero on Indian marine goods, leather and textile products, chemicals, rubber, base metals and gems and jewellery, India's trade ministry said in a statement.

India and the EU said agriculture-related items like soya, beef, sugar, rice and dairy have been kept out of the purview of the trade deal.

"A big agreement was signed between the European Union and India," Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said earlier. "People around the world are calling this the mother of all deals. This agreement will bring major opportunities for the 1.4 billion people of India and the millions of people in Europe.”

The two-decade-long EU–India trade talks gained momentum after Washington imposed a 50 percent tariff on some Indian goods, and as US allies pushed back against President Donald Trump's tariff threats and his bid to take over Greenland.

Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney, in a speech that got a standing ovation in Davos last week, urged middle powers to come together to avoid becoming victimised. He is planning to visit India to sign deals on uranium, energy and minerals, after striking a deal recently with China.

Before signing the deal with New Delhi, the EU agreed a pact with the South American bloc Mercosur, following deals last year with Indonesia, Mexico and Switzerland. During the same period, New Delhi finalized pacts with Britain, New Zealand and Oman.

"Europe and India are making history today," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said. "This is only the beginning."

Trade between India and the EU stood at $136.5 billion in the fiscal year through March 2025.

The formal signing of the India-EU deal would take place after legal vetting expected to last five to six months, an Indian government official aware of the matter has said.

"We expect the deal to be implemented within a year," the official added.

The vetting process in the EU region could be subject to some setbacks as in the case with Mercosur. EU lawmakers have voted to challenge the EU-Mercosur agreement in the bloc's top court.

Guarded sectors

The EU accord with India would open up the south Asian nation's vast and highly guarded market, with New Delhi slashing tariffs on cars to 10 percent over five years from as high as 110 percent, according to an EU statement, benefiting European automakers such as Volkswagen, Renault, Mercedes-Benz and BMW.

The reduced tariffs on autos would be granted to 250,000 cars a year valued over 15,000 euros and will be cut to 30-35 percent as soon as the deal is implemented, both sides said.

India is also slashing tariffs on alcoholic beverages like wines to 75 percent immediately from 150 percent, which would be lowered to 20 percent gradually. Tariffs on spirits will be lowered to 40 percent, the EU said.

The deal will also cut tariffs on a slew of EU goods coming to India including machinery, electrical equipment, chemicals and iron and steel, the EU said.

However, there was no immediate relief for Indian companies hit by carbon tax under the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) that started on January 1.

Besides steel, the decarbonization-oriented levy applies to cement, electricity, fertilizers and other products as well.

India said it has got a commitment from the EU that it will get flexibilities on the carbon tax if they are granted to any third countries.

Separately, the EU agreed to provide financial support of almost $600 million over the next two years to help India in cutting greenhouse gas emissions.