Berlin, Germany: The proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the European Union is set to significantly boost relations with Germany, India’s largest trade partner within the EU.
Indian Ambassador to Germany, Ajit Gupte, emphasized this, highlighting the growing partnership across trade, investment, defense, and people-to-people connections.
Speaking to ANI, Gupte noted Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal’s recent visit to Germany was crucial for strengthening this strategic alliance. He pointed out Germany’s pivotal role as India’s primary trade and investment partner in the EU, alongside a burgeoning defense collaboration and a rapidly expanding Indian diaspora, which has grown by approximately 60,000 annually over the past two years, now exceeding 332,000.
Gupte underscored India’s emergence as a reliable partner for Germany and Europe amidst global uncertainties, including the Ukraine conflict and energy crises. He stated that Germany and Europe are increasingly looking to India as a trustworthy ally, making Goyal’s visit particularly timely.
This development coincides with a delegation from the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs visiting New Delhi to discuss strengthening the EU-India strategic partnership and addressing shared Indo-Pacific challenges. Minister Goyal, during his Germany visit, expressed confidence that the India-EU FTA could be signed before the year-end, calling it the ‘mother of all deals’ and a testament to the commitment of both sides.