India and the European Union (EU) will conclude a free trade agreement by the end of 2025, Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said after a meeting with European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maroš Šefčovič in Brussels.

He said the meeting focused on improving market access for businesses in both regions and on strengthening robust and diversified supply chains.

"We reaffirmed our joint commitment to conclude negotiations on an India-EU free trade agreement by the end of 2025," Goyal wrote on his X page.

The minister also noted that officials have been discussing "strengthening innovation and competitiveness and the crucial role of investment and mobility in shaping a future-ready deal".

New Delhi and Brussels have been pursuing a free trade agreement for several years. Talks began in 2007 but were suspended in 2013 over disagreements on intellectual property rights, data protection in IT firms and access to the common market for some goods such as cars. Negotiations were resumed in 2022.

TASS/gnews.cz - cik