New Delhi, Feb. 9 -- After years of stop-start talks, India's push for a free-trade agreement (FTA) with the European Union has finally delivered a potential economic tailwind. The deal, billed as one of India's most ambitious trade pacts, promises to bolster labour-intensive industries, correct tariff asymmetries and unlock billions of dollars in market access.

With negotiations concluded and implementation targeted for 2026, policymakers see the agreement as reinforcing India's positioning as a durable growth story amid shifting global trade patterns.

Strategic timing and global messaging

The EU-India FTA also carries a broader geopolitical message. It signals New Delhi's intent to deepen diversified partnerships at a time of heighte...