EU FTA puts India on a level playing field against competitors in labour-intensive sectors: chief negotiator
India and the European Union have signed a comprehensive free trade agreement aimed at boosting India's competitiveness in labor-intensive sectors. The deal removes duties on key exports like textiles and leather, providing a level playing field against regional competitors.
Why it matters
This agreement is expected to significantly impact India's manufacturing capacity and economic growth by integrating it more deeply into the European market.
The free trade agreement (FTA) between India and the European Union puts India on a level-playing field with a number of its competitors in a number of labour-intensive sectors such as textiles, apparel, leather goods, footwear, engineering goods, and marine products, India’s chief negotiator on the FTA Darpan Jain explained on Wednesday (January 28, 2026).
The article presents the government's perspective on the trade deal's benefits without significant critical analysis or counter-arguments.
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