Pakistan, June 18 -- The European Union will formally sign a long-awaited free trade agreement with India by the end of 2026, marking a major step in strengthening economic ties between two of the world's largest markets. The announcement signals accelerating cooperation on trade, investment, and supply chain diversification amid global economic uncertainty.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen confirmed the timeline following her meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the G7 summit in France. She said both sides are moving quickly to finalize commitments under what she described as a landmark agreement.

The deal, initially concluded in January after years of negotiations, aims to reduce or eliminate tariffs o...