India-EU Trade Deal Nears Completion, Says Trade Secretary Rajesh Agrawal

• India's trade secretary Rajesh Agrawal announced that a trade deal with the European Union is very close to being finalized, potentially this month.
• This agreement would be India's largest trade pact, opening its market of over 1.4 billion consumers to European goods.
• The deal aims to reshape global trade flows amidst rising protectionism and stalled U.S.-India trade talks.
• Negotiations, relaunched in 2022, gained momentum after U.S. tariff hikes and a breakdown in India-U.S. trade pact discussions.
• Top EU leaders are expected to attend India's Republic Day celebrations and an India-EU Summit in New Delhi, where the deal could be sealed.

Why It Matters: India is on the verge of signing its largest trade deal with the EU, boosting trade amidst global shifts.