VOI World/ Desk
India trade talks are set to intensify this month, with New Delhi pursuing multiple free trade agreements and aiming to conclude at least two FTAs by the end of the year. Officials said the most advanced negotiations are with Oman and New Zealand, where technical discussions have progressed enough to allow a possible announcement in December.
Discussions with Oman have reached the final stage, and a high-level bilateral meeting is expected soon. Officials added that an FTA with New Zealand is also likely to be completed this month, as representatives from both sides work to resolve the remaining policy issues.
A government spokesperson said India aims for fair and mutually beneficial agreements and is currently engaged with several partners, including the United States and the European Union. There are no fixed deadlines for pending negotiations, but the goal is to secure balanced outcomes that support wider economic objectives.
Indian and EU teams will continue discussions on the proposed India-EU FTA this month. Pending issues may be settled through in-person meetings in New Delhi. Meanwhile, India and Canada are working on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, with both sides aligning their terms of reference. If finalized, the deal could double bilateral trade by 2030.
Talks are also ongoing with the Southern African Customs Union, covering Botswana, Namibia, Eswatini, Lesotho and South Africa. Negotiations paused after earlier rounds due to technical issues, but fresh talks are expected soon.
Discussions with Israel, Peru, Chile and other partners are also active, with several agreements targeted for finalization early next year.
