India Expands Global Trade Push: New FTAs with Australia, Sri Lanka, Gulf & More

• India is actively negotiating Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with Australia, Chile, Peru, the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), and Sri Lanka, following recent deals with the EU and US.
• New Delhi has signed Terms of Reference (ToR) for trade pacts with Israel, Maldives, Philippines, and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and is reviewing existing agreements with ASEAN and South Korea.
• MoS Jitin Prasada highlighted India's participation in regional platforms like IPEF to support diversified supply chains.
• Bilateral trade with the GCC reached approximately $179 billion in 2024–25, driven by CEPA agreements with UAE and Oman, with India exporting gems, metals, electronics, and chemicals.
• Union Trade Minister Piyush Goyal emphasized that new FTAs will boost exports, eliminate duties, ensure predictability, attract investments, and foster job opportunities and security.