India, EU reach landmark trade deal, tariffs to be slashed on most goods
Department of Research, Strategic Studies and International Relations 27/01/2026
India and the European Union struck a long‑delayed deal on Tuesday 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% of traded goods by value, and will lead to savings of 4 billion euros ($4.75 billion) in duties for European companies, the EU said.
The EU will cut tariffs on 99.5% 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.
“Yesterday, 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,” he said.
The two-decade-long EU–India trade talks gained momentum after Washington imposed a 50% tariff on some Indian goods, and as U.S. allies pushed back against President Donald Trump’s tariff threats and his bid to take over Greenland.
Canada’s Prime Minister 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 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 finalised 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, compared to $132 billion of trade between India and U.S., and $128 billion between India and China.
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.
