New Delhi, Oct. 8 -- Even as India and the European Union (EU) prepare for the signing and entry into force of their free trade agreement, the two sides are moving forward with a bilateral investment protection pact as a complement to the trade deal, the EU's new ambassador in Delhi, Jean-Eric Paquet, has said.

The EU is also looking forward to doing more with India under a new Security and Defence Partnership, including countering non-traditional threats and defence industry cooperation, Paquet said in an interview with HT. Edited excerpts from the interview:

Do you see the India-EU free trade agreement (FTA) getting across the finish line in December without any hitches?

We are looking at December to sign the agreement. A few days ag...