New Delhi, Sept. 11 -- The European Commission on Friday moved the EU-India free trade agreement closer to implementation, submitting proposals to the Council of the European Union seeking its approval to sign and conclude the landmark pact, often described as the "mother of all deals".

If approved by the Council and subsequently cleared through the required procedures, the free trade agreement (FTA) would be the largest trade deal ever concluded by the EU and India, the Commission said.

The pact would eliminate or reduce tariffs on about 96% of EU goods exports to India, with the Commission estimating that the tariff cuts would save European exporters around €4 billion a year in duties.

The agreement is intended to improve marke...