NEW DELHI / BRUSSELS — The historic economic partnership between two of the world's largest democratic markets has advanced significantly. The European Commission has officially submitted its formal proposals to the European Council for the signature and conclusion of the landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the European Union and India.

This key procedural milestone brings the expansive trade pact one step closer to final ratification. Following the successful conclusion of political negotiations earlier, the latest move triggers the formal legislative process within EU institutions, requiring the Council's greenlight before the agreement can be officially signed and subsequently forwarded to the European Parliament.

Billed by officials on both sides as one of the most comprehensive economic pacts of its kind, the India-EU FTA aims to bridge two massive economies representing nearly two billion people and roughly a quarter of global Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The agreement is designed to dismantle long-standing tariff barriers, slash administrative red tape, and dramatically expand market access for goods, services, and digital trade.

Under the terms of the proposal, European exporters stand to save billions annually in customs duties, with projections anticipating a major surge in bilateral trade and job creation across both regions. At the same time, the framework carefully carves out protections for sensitive domestic agricultural and industrial sectors while embedding robust commitments to sustainable development, labor rights, and climate action.

With the proposal now sitting before the Council of the European Union, member states will review the text ahead of a formal signature. If approved, the agreement will head to the European Parliament for final consent, marking a defining chapter in modern international trade relations.