L’Accordo UE-India

On 27 January 2026, the European Union and India concluded negotiations on a historic and far-reaching Free Trade Agreement (FTA), the most comprehensive ever signed by either party. Covering over 96% of trade in value, the agreement strengthens economic ties between the world’s second and fourth largest economies while reaffirming a shared commitment to rules-based trade and multilateral governance.

The Brief by Sergio Lugaresi examines the main provisions of the deal, including tariff liberalisation, services market access, support for SMEs, intellectual property protection, and enhanced cooperation on standards and regulatory frameworks. It also highlights the broader geopolitical dimension of the agreement, notably the new EU-India Security and Defence Partnership and cooperation on climate action.

A landmark agreement in both economic and political terms, the FTA is set to reshape EU-India relations and influence the strategic balance between Europe and the Indo-Pacific.