Lok Sabha Question No. 2369 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-13
Subject: 16th India-European Union (EU) Summit
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri K Sudhakaran

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2369 ANSWERED ON 13/02/2026

16TH   INDIA-EUROPEAN UNION (EU) SUMMIT

2369. SHRI K SUDHAKARAN

Will the Minister of  EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state :(a)   whether   the   Government   has   successfully   concluded   the negotiations   for   a   Free   Trade   Agreement   and   a   Migration   and Mobility Partnership during the recently held 16th India-EU Summit in New Delhi, if  so, the details thereof; (b)   the   specific   timeline   for   the   'legal   scrubbing'   and   formal ratification of  these agreements before they come into force; (c) whether the Government has addressed the concerns regarding the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and its potential impact on Indian metal and engineering exports, if  so, the details thereof; and (d)   the   details   of   the   new   Security   and   Defence   Partnership, specifically   regarding   maritime   security   in   the   Indo-Pacific   and cooperation in the defense industrial sector?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(a)  The  conclusion   of   negotiations   for   the   India-EU   Free   Trade Agreement (FTA) was announced at the 16th India-EU Summit held in   New   Delhi   on   27   January   2026,   co-chaired   by   Prime   Minister Narendra Modi, President of the European Council Mr. António Costa, and President   of   the   European   Commission   Ms.   Ursula   von   der Leyen.  India-EU   FTA   is   a   modern,   rules-based   trade   partnership focused on market access, regulatory cooperation and economic integration, while preserving India's policy space and developmental priorities. India secured preferential market access for more than 99% of merchandise exports to a large EU market in sectors such as textiles, chemicals, electronics, engineering, etc.

Further, an MoU on Comprehensive Framework of Cooperation on Mobility   was   also   signed   during   the   summit, aimed   to   foster research   and   innovation,   address   skill   gap,   mitigate   labour shortages,   promote   economic   growth,   alongside   supporting   the trade and investment framework and facilitate mobility of  skilled workers, students, researchers (including doctoral candidates), and

seasonal workers between India and the EU. Under this MoU, the EU will   work   with   India   to   establish   a   pilot   European   Union   Legal Gateway Office, initially focused on the ICT sector, to act as a onestop hub facilitating  legal   mobility   of   workers,   researchers,   and students, enhancing the visibility of EU-India ICT opportunities, and providing   guidance   on   legal   migration   pathways,   including qualification recognition.

(b)   The   India-EU   FTA   is   to   come   into   force   after   signing   and ratification by both the Parties. The process will be carried forward by both the parties in mutual consultation. The MoU on Mobility has already entered in force for a period of seven years from the date of its signature i.e. 27 January 2026.

(c) India has secured an Annex on Carbon Border Measures in the India-EU   FTA.   The   Annex   aims   to   strengthen   cooperation   and support   between   India   and   EU   to   enhance   efforts   to   reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It also establishes a Technical Dialogue wherein   India   can   engage   with   the   EU   on   verification   and accreditation requirements and setting of default values under the EU CBAM. India will also get a more beneficial treatment that EU

gives to any other country in terms of  flexibilities under CBAM through the Most Favoured Nation clause.

(d) The Security and Defence Partnership signed during the Summit is   the   first   overarching   framework   agreement   on   defence   and security cooperation between India and the European Union. It will deepen India-EU cooperation across traditional and non-traditional defence and security domains, including maritime security, cyber, space, hybrid, counter-terrorism, non-proliferation, defence industry, consultation   on   Indo-Pacific,   emerging   technologies   and   critical infrastructure resilience.

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