New Delhi: India is working beyond tariffs and trade agreements to ensure stability and sustainability for the businesses, said Rajesh Agrawal, Commerce Secretary, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Speaking at the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Annual General Meeting (AGM) in New Delhi, Commerce Secretary said, “The goal of our FTAs is to create a predictable trade environment for investors and the right foundation for both domestic and international trade. We are working beyond tariffs to ensure stability and sustainability, building a trade ecosystem that fosters long-term growth."
Commerce Secretary went on to talk about India’s FTA growth journey. “In the past six years, India has signed nine FTAs with 38 different countries, which are at various stages of implementation. Today India’s FTAs are deeper, and much more nuanced.”
He spoke about India’s engagement with the world today, which is expanding beyond tariffs, towards harmonisation of regulations, as the need of the hour calls for predictable trade, tariff and regulatory environment for investors and industry.
"This will enable the country to not only grow trade but also create the right foundation for getting investment, both domestic and foreign," Agarwal added.
India's FTAs at a glance
In last one decade, India has emerged decisive and confident: redrawing and redefining the map of global trade and charting modern, future-ready, new generation of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).
India has steadily expanded its network of free trade agreements over the past few years reaching Nine FTAs spanning 38 countries. Starting with India–Mauritius in 2021, the India–UAE Comprehensive Economic partnership agreement followed in May 2022.
India–Australia Economic and Trade Agreement was implemented in December 2022. India then signed the EFTA TEPA on 10th March 2024, which entered into force on 1st October 2025.
The India–UK CETA was signed in July 2025 and India–Oman CEPA in December 2025. The India–New Zealand FTA was announced on 22nd December 2025, followed by the India–EU FTA on 27th January 2026. With United States, we have delivered framework for an interim agreement on 7th February 2026 and cemented our global trade footprint.
Speaking at the same panel discussion, Hervé Delphin, Ambassador of the European Union to India, spoke about trade being a tool for stability.
“By diversifying through FTAs, we reduce dependency of our economy and sharpen our global competitiveness. We see a powerful convergence between the EU and India in viewing trade as a strategic platform for growth,” he said.
Ambassador Delphin went on to state that the European Union today has 45 preferential trade agreements with 80 countries around the world, covering over 50% of global trade.
Having recently completed FTAs with Mexico, Indonesia, India, Australia, EU is continuing with new partners, Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, UAE, among others.
He went on to talk about the ‘mother of all deals’- the India EU FTA which is clearly a win-win. It will allow the doubling of trade between EU and India, thereby generating jobs, and increasing investment. The FTA is the big, key part of the EU India strategic agenda.
Mikiko Tanaka, Head, Subregional Office for South and West Asia, UNESCAP praised India adding that India is now spearheading a more liberal and strategic approach towards FTAs.
India's recent engagements with the European Union, UK, EFTA, New Zealand and Oman clearly highlight the multidimensional nature of modern FTAs, she added.
Ends.
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