The European Union (EU) and India are ramping up efforts to finalize a free trade agreement, said a senior minister in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s cabinet, as the South Asian nation seeks to expand its trade relations beyond the U.S., following tariff impacts. ‘India and the EU are sincerely and committedly working towards finalizing a comprehensive and balanced free trade agreement,’ said Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal at an event in New Delhi on Friday (12.9.25), according to Bloomberg. The pursuit of a ‘perfect agreement’ should not hinder the conclusion of the trade deal, Goyal added, reflecting its urgent nature. The negotiations are ‘intense’ and progressing with ‘unprecedented momentum,’ as both sides attempt to finalize the agreement by year’s end, said EU Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Maroš Šefčovič, who is in India for the trade talks. Both sides are crafting an ‘economically meaningful, win-win package’ to benefit businesses and people in Europe and India, he added.