India and EU Discuss Trade, Supply Chain Resilience and FTA Implementation During Brussels Meetingst
Commerce Secretary Shri Rajesh Agrawal held a series of high-level meetings in Brussels with senior European Commission officials to discuss ways to strengthen the economic and strategic partnership between India and the European Union. The discussions included meetings with Ms. Ditte Juul Jørgensen, Director-General of the Directorate-General for Trade and Economic Security (DG TRADE); Mr. Koen Doens, Director-General of the Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA); and Mr. Gerassimos Thomas, Director-General of the Directorate-General for Taxation and Customs Union (DG TAXUD). During his meeting with Ms. Ditte Juul Jørgensen, both sides explored ways to promote two-way trade, improve market access, build more resilient supply chains and expand business opportunities for companies in India and the EU. They reiterated their commitment to reaching a fair, balanced and mutually beneficial agreement and agreed to continue working closely on pending procedural and implementation-related matters. The discussion with Mr. Koen Doens centred on strengthening development cooperation and strategic ties between India and the EU. Key areas included sustainable development, clean energy, green technologies and other shared priorities. In his meeting with Mr. Gerassimos Thomas, Shri Agrawal discussed customs cooperation, trade facilitation and preparations for implementing the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Both sides underlined the need for transparent, efficient and digitally enabled customs processes to reduce business costs, support trade and ensure the smooth movement of legitimate goods.
