Indian and EU officials remained confident that a trade deal between the two sides could be concluded by the end of the year, as the 14th round of negotiations drew to a close on Friday (October 10, 2025) in Brussels.

“I can’t imagine a scenario where we’re not close to or have not concluded the FTA at the end of the year,” an EU official, who did not want to be named, told The Hindu on Thursday (October 9, 2025).

Rajesh Agrawal, who has thus far led the negotiations with the U.S. and taken over as Commerce Secretary on October 1, was in Brussels this week, departing the city on Friday (October 10, 2025) evening. The Hindu understands that with Mr. Agrawal’s appointment as Commerce Secretary, the Ministry’s Darpan Jain will lead India’s negotiations with the U.S., with Mr. Agrawal still having a very hands-on role in those talks.

Also Read | India, EU working on series of transformative initiatives besides eyeing to seal FTA by December

The Indian negotiating team for the EU, led by L. Satya Srinivas, is scheduled to depart the Belgian capital on Saturday (October 11, 2025). Another round of talks is expected to be held in New Delhi in November but discussions will continue in the interregnum.

Bilateral trade in goods in 2024 stood at €120 billion ($139 billion) but difficulties remain and both sides complain of tariff and non-tariff barriers. Challenging areas have included services, agricultural and dairy sectors, pharma, automobiles, wines and spirits. The sides have decided to set aside the most sensitive areas from the negotiations.

While officials are under a political mandate set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in February this year to conclude an agreement by the end of 2025, some of these tough issues remain, including “trade and sustainable development”.

Also Read | India, EU to begin next round of talks for trade pact from Oct. 6 in Brussels

India has for long objected to the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). The tax, which seeks to price emissions released during the production of goods, including imports, is due to come into full effect on January 1, after a two-year transition period.

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has repeatedly said that India will retaliate if its products are subject to the mechanism. Mr. Goyal had warned, in a speech in New York at the end of September, that the CBAM “trap” could isolate Europe and cause inflation there. The government has also objected to bundling climate action with trade.

The issues around CBAM and sustainability were very much still under discussion as of Friday (October 10, 2025) afternoon, The Hindu learned from another source with direct knowledge of the negotiations.

Also Read | First round of negotiations for FTA with EAEU, including Russia, likely in ‘early November’

The EU would need to adjust its approach on  trade and sustainable development so the outcome is “something India can live with”, Chief Negotiator Christophe Kiener had told the European Parliament’s trade committee on September 25, saying a chapter on trade and sustainable development will still, however, be needed. Mr. Kiener had also said that while the sides had not made progress in the 13th round in New Delhi , they had improved their understanding of each other. Towards the end of such negotiations “things are bound to be difficult”, Mr. Kiener had said.

For the EU India’s Quality Control Orders (QCOs) are among the oft cited difficulties.

India’s Ambassador in Brussels , Saurabh Kumar, is optimistic about the trade talks.

“It is not a single point or one particular aspect that has overarching weight. Trade negotiations by definition are not easy and there are difficulties, but both sides are committed to it (the FTA) and determined to complete it,” Mr. Kumar told The Hindu on Friday (October 10, 2025), adding, “There is a strong political directive to complete discussions by December.”

Mr. Goyal is expected in Brussels at the end of the month.

Also Read | India could withstand external shocks due to strong domestic demand and economic policies: Shaktikanta Das

IMEC ‘Sherpa’ Meeting Held

Brussels has been busy this week, with more than just trade. The Global Gateway Forum (the bloc’s strategy for investment in other jurisdictions) was also held this week along with a steering meeting (i.e., a ‘Sherpa’ meeting) for the India Middle East Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). Deputy NSA Pavan Kapoor, who represented India at the meeting, participated virtually.

With a ceasefire kicking off between Israel and Gaza and the possibility of less fighting in the future, Brussels is keen on the project that was announced at the G20 Summit in New Delhi in September 2023. The corridor, when built, will provide transport, fibre optic and energy routes from India to Europe via West Asia.

Also Read | India, EFTA trade pact comes into force: Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal

“We are very keen on it, and the Indians are very keen on it, as are others. And we have these various investments we’re making to support legs of it. The key thing is the Middle East being sorted out,” the EU official  said, adding that Washington’s attention to the issue was still necessary.

“We need the oomph of the Americans as well,” they said.

Asked if there was any specific limiting factor to operationalize the IMEC project, Mr. Kumar told The Hindu that countries were discussing their responsibilities.

“There is no limiting factor. The countries involved are trying to organize themselves as to how they are to move ahead and who looks after which aspect,” he said.

Published – October 11, 2025 08:02 pm IST

What are the issues in your constituency and how are they different from what is being discussed at the national level?

The issues are very similar, frankly, up and down the country. But one particular thing in Leicester East is around unemployment and low wages, which then creates a double whammy with the rise in the cost of living. This is coming up on the doorsteps quite a lot. And that’s why my experience as the Deputy Mayor of London for Business and also as an entrepreneur… I’m getting ready to get stuck in, to get the economy going in Leicester East, creating new jobs, bringing investments, supporting the businesses here in Leicester East.

As  well as that the issues around declining public services, people can’t get GP [ doctor ] appointments or dentist  appointments, hospital appointments. All of that is a big issue. Then with regard to education, getting places in schools for children is very hard. And then, of course, Leicester East is in need of somebody who can bring different communities together. I’m very proud to have been the first Hindu Deputy Mayor of London working alongside the first Muslim, Mayor of London. And I want to work towards bringing all the communities in Leicester together.

Two years ago there was some unusual trouble between the communities. Marco Longhi, the Conservative candidate in Dudley was recently criticized for trying to rake up things. And there was also some news of some affiliated with  the RSS and BJP stirring up trouble two years ago. Have things settled? Are you seeing any of that this year? 

Leicester has been a beacon of multicultural society for decades, people of different faiths and different ethnic backgrounds have all lived together. Of course, there were some challenges recently and that’s why there’s a strong will from communities – all different communities –  to actually come together. It’s work in progress. Of course, you know, we have to continually work at it. We should never take anything for granted.

Are you noticing anything from overseas such as, say political parties in India, and specifically, BJP RSS affiliates, acting in this election?

I haven’t seen anything. That is there’s absolutely no sign to suggest any of that. I’m very focused on my campaign, talking to people the 1000s of conversations that I’ve had all tend to be around  local issues, frankly …employment, economy, public services, the NHS (National Health Service), those sort of things.

What activities are going on, in Leicester East,  to keep the communities together?

There is dialogue. For example, women of Hindu and Muslim faiths meeting regularly.  Teas organized, one to one cups of tea between people of different faiths, and so forth. So there are community initiatives that are taking place. I know there is a strong will in all communities to come together. It has to be community led, not political led.

How is immigration as an issue playing out in Leicester East? Is there a difference between first generation and others on the issue?

Leicester is a city of immigrants. It’s got great stories of people coming from different parts of the world, particularly from South Asia via East Africa or directly. They came here with nothing, many of them. They’ve worked very hard. They’ve lived together, they’ve done well in life. It’s an aspirational community. We are very proud to be a city of immigrants in that sense. But at the same time, 14 years of Tory government have failed to do enough to provide those jobs and opportunities to new arrivals and services that help them integrate in the new country.

There’s no doubt that we need to cut the net migration down, but the important thing is as people arrive in the country, it’s important that the infrastructure keeps up with it, in terms of the hospitals and the surgeries [doctors’ clinics]  and schools and the transport and the housing and everything. And the government has actually failed to do that. So we are very proud of all the contributions that the immigrants have made, particularly those from the subcontinent, to Leicester.

By and large, Asians vote Labour. But you have the Sunak factor. How is that working in Leicester?

Ultimately the people of this country will vote on the issues that affect them on a day to day basis. And the fact of the matter is, we are stuck in this very poor economy, which is growing extremely slowly. There aren’t enough well-paying jobs. People can’t get GP appointments, dentistry appointments, hospital appointments. Children can’t get places in school. Class sizes have actually gone up. All of those issues are the main concerns for people across the country, including the British Indian community. So whilst it is a matter of pride that you’ve got a non-white, first person of Indian origin as the Prime Minister, the main thing is about the performance, which has been a huge let down.

What differentiates your candidacy from former MP Claudia Webbe (independent) or Keith Vaz (a longtime , erstwhile Labour MP, who is running again)  ?

I’ve got a great track record. And not just as a first generation immigrant, like many people here in Leicester East I came to this country with very little. I’ve built up businesses, served as  Deputy Mayor of London for Business, one of the most diverse and  greatest cities in the world.

How have your beginnings in India and your background affected your politics and your desire to be in politics ?

So I was born and grew up in what you would describe as a lower middle class family, in India. My mother was a schoolteacher. My father was a mechanic in the irrigation department in the State of Madhya Pradesh. Very humble beginnings, but I had a good education. I went to a Catholic school in Indore  and finished all my education and studied business. My first job full time job was actually selling website designing services for Rs. 5000 a month. I was in Chandigarh and in Mumbai. And then I got an opportunity to come to this country. I still remember when I first landed at Heathrow Airport [ in 2001], I’d never been on a plane before.

I was 24 years old, a young person. This country welcomed me with open arms and has given me so much. So for me, this is sort of about giving back to the society and to the community that has given me so much.

I’m also proud of the fact that I’ve done a great deal of work to try and connect my janmabhoomi (land of birth) with my karmabhoomi (land of work). When I first became London’s Deputy Mayor, India was the fourth largest investor in London. By the time I left, it was the largest investor in London. I opened three offices in India to promote trade and investment between the two countries.