Dehradun, Feb. 8 -- India has shared a rich trading relationship with Europe that dates back to 250 BC, even predating the Silk Road. For most part of the next 2000 years, Indian muslins, cotton, handicrafts, spices, emeralds and gems had become the most coveted merchandise in international trade, a bulk of which made their way to Europe. In return, gold and silver poured into India to pay for these fabulous commodities. The Indo-Europe trade achieved great scale and proportions in its halcyon days.
The efforts to cement this relationship through a comprehensive free trade agreement started in 2007. The negotiations had to be abandoned in 2013 due to serious differences in positions on both sides on multiple issues. The negotiations starte...