FM Sitharaman hails India-EU trade deal at Munich Leaders Meeting
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman praised the India-EU free trade agreement as a model for future economic partnerships during the Munich Leaders Meeting. She also addressed the complexities of ongoing trade negotiations with the United States.
Why it matters
Provides insight into India's strategic approach to global trade deals and its stance on managing trade imbalances.
The India-European Union free trade deal stands out as an example of how India is negotiating and finalising trade deals, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Monday (October 5, 2026).
Speaking at the opening session of the Munich Leaders Meeting in New Delhi, Ms. Sitharaman noted that India has opened up 92.5% of all its tariff lines through the agreement and 97% of the trade value, while the EU has opened up 99% in terms of value and possibly 97% of tariff lines.
“With the size of the EU and Indian economies — the growing economy that is India, the growing middle class in India and its buying power — you have tied together two growing economies for the next 20-30 years,” she said.
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