• The European Union concluded negotiations on a comprehensive India–EU Free Trade Agreement on January 27, 2026, marking a major milestone in EU–Asia trade relations.
• In parallel, the EU upgraded its relationship with Vietnam to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, building on the existing EU–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).
• The two developments, announced days apart, reflect the EU’s sustained commitment to the Indo-Pacific as a key region shaping the global economic and strategic order.• While the India–EU FTA has entered the legal scrubbing phase, full implementation will follow signature and ratification, highlighting differing timelines and strategic impacts compared with the already-operational EVFTA.
