NEW DELHI — After nearly two decades of protracted negotiations, the long-awaited free trade agreement between India and the European Union has a firm timetable, with senior officials targeting a December signing ceremony.

David McAllister, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament, outlined the aggressive timeline during an exclusive interview in New Delhi. McAllister is currently leading an eight-member European Parliament delegation to India, a visit that follows high-level diplomatic engagements, including meetings with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.

"We are about to bring our strategic partnership as the European Union with India to the next level," McAllister stated, highlighting prior milestones such as a recently signed security and defense partnership agreement and an agreed joint strategic agenda.

A Clear Path to Ratification

Trade talks between India and the EU were initially launched in 2007. Momentum accelerated significantly over the past two years, culminating in a political announcement in January during a visit by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa.

Addressing the timeline for formal enactment, McAllister expressed optimism that the accord would be finalized by the end of the year. "Hopefully, this will happen by December this year, and hopefully, the Prime Minister will be able to sign the agreement personally when he visits Brussels," he noted.

Under the EU's institutional framework, the European Parliament holds a decisive role in ratifying international trade pacts. McAllister confirmed that parliamentary scrutiny would begin immediately following the signing ceremony.

"I'm pretty sure that we will be able to conclude our scrutinizing work in spring so that this mother of all deals can enter into force by summer," he added.

Shared Values and Strategic Urgency

Framing the upcoming trade pact within a broader geopolitical context, McAllister emphasized the shared democratic values underpinning the bilateral relationship. As the world's two largest democracies—representing India's vast population and the EU's 450 million citizens—both entities strongly support an international rules-based order.

Global conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East have added urgency to closer economic cooperation. McAllister stressed the critical need for both trading partners to diversify supply chains and secure maritime shipping lanes.

Navigating Global Tariff Turbulence

Against a backdrop of shifting international trade policies and rising protectionism, McAllister offered a pointed critique of unpredictable tariff measures without singling out specific nations. He warned that fluctuating trade barriers disrupt global markets and undermine established rules.

"International trade is, by the way, also about respecting agreed rules," McAllister said, emphasizing that predictability and stability remain paramount as India and the EU finalize their historic economic partnership.