India, EU making 'very good progress' on FTA, trade deal by end of 2025: Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Wednesday that a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the European Union could be concluded by the end of 2025, citing "very good progress" in ongoing negotiations.

Speaking at the German Marshall Fund Forum in Brussels, Jaishankar expressed confidence in the year-end timeline set for the completion of the FTA following high-level talks with EU officials, including European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maroš Šefčovič.

“A lot has been done, and everything that I heard on this trip gives me the confidence that it's within sight – that by the end of the year it is feasible to do this,” Jaishankar said in a conversation with Financial Times Brussels Bureau Chief Henry Foy.

India and the EU relaunched negotiations for the long-pending FTA in 2022 after a nine-year hiatus. Talks have since expanded to cover trade, investment, digital cooperation, and sustainability.

Jaishankar described the FTA as the “centrepiece” of India-EU ties, while highlighting the other aspects of the relationship, such as defence and security, mobility, talent flows and education.

“I would give it (India-EU ties) pretty high priority… right now you catch us at a very important moment,” said Jaishankar.

“We had the (EU) College of Commissioners, very soon after they came into office, visit India collectively. We know that's a very unusual and very positive step, and we are really looking at deepening our ties," he said.

Asked if the EU remains naive vis-à-vis China, he added: “I would point to a certain evolution in Europe's position and stance, but I would also make the point that it's a very differentiated picture.

“Not all of Europe is obviously moving at the same speed and on the same wavelength. So, there are some which have different views, some who are more hard-headed. I would make that distinction.”

The minister also held meetings this week with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, as part of the inaugural India-EU Strategic Dialogue.