India-EU FTA: 18-Year Wait Ends, What's in it for Farmers?

• India and the European Union are finalizing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) after 18 years of negotiations, aiming for a significant milestone by January 27, 2026.
• Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen have termed it the "mother of all agreements."
• The agreement, initially discussed in 2007 and halted in 2013, has been revived amidst global trade uncertainties.
• It is expected to boost sectors like automotive, pharmaceuticals, IT services, textiles, and engineering manufacturing through reduced duties and increased exports, potentially creating jobs.
• India has strategically excluded dairy products and sensitive agricultural produce (wheat, rice, sugar) from the FTA to protect domestic farmers from cheap imports and price collapse.

Why It Matters: India and the EU are set to finalize a major FTA, with India safeguarding its dairy and agricultural sectors.