New Delhi, May 8 -- In a significant push for deeper economic integration, the European Union's Ambassador to India, Herve Delphin, advocated for the inclusion of an investment liberalisation chapter within the landmark free trade agreement (FTA) between the two powers. Delphin also called for the rapid finalisation of a separate investment protection pact to solidify the legal ground for businesses.

The 27-nation bloc and India recently marked a breakthrough on 27 January by announcing the conclusion of negotiations for the FTA, a deal widely celebrated as the "mother of all deals". Under the proposed terms, a vast array of Indian products will gain duty-free entry into the European market, while Indian consumers can expect a price drop...