India and EU aim to complete legal review of FTA text within 15-20 days

India and the European Union are expected to finalize the legalization of the proposed free trade agreement (FTA) text in the next 15-20 days, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Monday, signaling that the landmark trade pact is moving into its final phase before signing.

According to PTIthe process of legal scrubbing involves a detailed review of the negotiated agreement to ensure legal coherence, remove ambiguities and bring the text into compliance with the domestic laws of both countries. India and the European Union. Once this exercise is completed, the agreement will proceed to formal signature and ratification before entering into force.

Talking about the progress of negotiations, Goyal said that both sides are working to conclude the legal review within the stipulated time frame. He expressed confidence that the deal remains on track to be signed by the end of this year, with implementation expected in the first quarter of 2027 after the required approval processes are completed. PTI.

One of India’s biggest trade deals

The India-EU Free Trade Agreement is considered one of India’s most significant trade agreements, given that the European Union is among the country’s largest trading partners.

According to PTI, the pact is expected to provide greater market access for Indian goods and services, boost investment, strengthen supply chains and expand economic cooperation across several sectors.

The agreement is also expected to lower trade barriers, improve opportunities for exporters and facilitate easier access to the European market for Indian businesses. It is likely to cover a wide range of areas, including trade in goods and services, investment, regulatory cooperation and other measures aimed at deepening bilateral economic ties.

According to PTI, talks between India and the EU have picked up speed in recent months after both sides resolved several outstanding issues. The current legal clearance represents the final technical stage before the agreement can be formally signed.

India and the European Union have been negotiating a proposed free trade agreement for several years, with both sides seeing it as a strategic agreement that will enhance long-term economic cooperation. If implemented as planned, the pact is expected to boost bilateral trade, improve investment flows and provide new growth opportunities for businesses in both markets.

Goyal said the legal review was proceeding smoothly and reiterated that both India and the EU were committed to completing the remaining formalities in the next two to three weeks, according to PTI. Completion of the process will pave the way for the agreement to be signed later this year, followed by ratification, with the agreement entering into force in early 2027.