India Advances FTA Agenda With Six Key Trade Partners
India is accelerating its trade diplomacy by actively negotiating six Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with a mix of developed economies and emerging markets, as part of a broader strategy to expand export opportunities and strengthen global economic integration.
According to the Ministry of Commerce, ongoing negotiations include agreements with Australia, Sri Lanka, Peru, Chile, Israel and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). These negotiations aim to improve market access, lower tariff barriers, and promote investment and technology collaboration across sectors.
Among the most significant discussions is the proposed Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) with Australia, where negotiations began in February 2023 and have progressed through 11 rounds. Talks with Sri Lanka on the Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA), which started in 2015, have reached 14 rounds, with the most recent engagement held in July 2024.
India’s engagement with Peru has also gathered momentum, with FTA negotiations launched in 2017 and nine rounds completed so far, the latest in November 2025. Meanwhile, discussions with Chile for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) commenced in April 2025 and have completed four rounds to date. Expanding its footprint in new regions, India initiated negotiations with the Eurasian Economic Union, holding the first round in November 2025. Additionally, talks for a bilateral FTA with Israel began recently, with the first round conducted in February 2026.
Collectively, these negotiations reflect India’s strategic push to diversify trade partnerships, reduce dependence on select markets, and position itself more strongly within global value chains.
