India-EU FTA: Zero-Duty Access for Textiles, Footwear to Europe Confirmed

• EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic confirmed zero-duty access for Indian textiles and footwear to Europe from day one of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) implementation.
• The FTA will provide tariff-free and quota-free access for India's labour-intensive exports, boosting manufacturing and MSME sectors.
• Garments and footwear are expected to become more competitive in the EU market, enhancing India's export growth and employment generation.
• Announced on January 27, the FTA is projected to be operational by 2027, with phased implementation.
• The agreement also includes a mobility partnership MoU, expanding opportunities for Indian citizens to move between India and the EU.

Why It Matters: India's textiles and footwear will gain zero-duty access to the EU, boosting exports and employment.