Parliament Question: Free Trade Agreements

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3818 ANSWERED ON 11/08/2026 FREE TRADE AGREEMENTS

3818. SHRI PUTTA MAHESH KUMAR:

SHRI B K PARTHASARATHI:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री) be

pleased to state:

(a) the details regarding the list of all Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) proposed, under negotiation and currently in force with India, country-wise, especially those facilitating new investments in technology-intensive sectors, critical minerals, advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies;

(b) the details regarding the list of trade value, investment inflows and employment generation arising from FTAs presently in force during the last five years, particularly in above specified sectors, country-wise; and

(c) the details of measures undertaken by the Government to strengthen digital trade frameworks, data protection and regulatory certainty so as to attract technology led investments and expand FTAs with partner countries during the last five years? ANSWER वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्रालय में राज्यमंत्री (श्री जितिन प्रसाद) THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI JITIN PRASADA)

(a) and (b) A list of proposed, under negotiation and currently in force Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with India is placed at Annexure. The details and salient features of India’s FTAs entered into force may be sourced at

https://www.commerce.gov.in/#/international-trade/trade-agreements. Brief features of

recent FTAs are listed below: • India–Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA): India has secured 100% duty-free market access for its exports, covering 98.08% of Oman’s tariff lines, representing 99.38% of India’s export value.

• India - UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) provides duty-free access to almost 99 % of India’s exports to the UK, covering nearly 100% of the trade value. All zero-duty concessions come into effect with entry into force. India’s major exports—from labor-intensive sectors like textiles, gems & jewellery, leather and footwear, organic chemical, artisanal products, and ceramics to high-value goods like auto parts, machinery, pharmaceuticals, and processed foods have secured zero-duty access to the UK.

1• India–EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA): India has secured a binding commitment from EFTA covering 92.2% of tariff lines (99.6% of India’s exports), including 100% of non-agricultural products and tariff concessions on Processed Agricultural Products • India–Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement: In the FTA all exports of India including food, agricultural and marine products are eligible for zero-duty market access from 1 January 2026.

• India and United Arab Emirates (UAE) Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA): India has secured duty-free and preferential market access on 97% of UAE tariff lines covering 99% of India’s exports, with immediate duty elimination on over 80% of tariff lines.

Apart from the above, the India-New Zealand FTA has been signed, and the India-EU FTA has concluded negotiations. Brief features are as follows : • India–New Zealand FTA: New Zealand will provide 100% duty-free market access on all tariff lines, including agri-processed products, marine products, dairy products and other rural livelihood-based products from the entry into force of the agreement. This agreement has been signed and presently under ratification.

• India-European Union (EU) FTA: Preferential Market Access on 96.8% of tariff lines which covers 99.5% of India’s exports. 90.7% of exports (by trade value) to the EU to become duty-free on entry into force of the Agreement. The Agreement will come into force after signing and ratification by both the Parties. The process of signing and ratification will be carried forward by both the Parties in mutual consultation.

FTAs are negotiated with the endeavour to deliver comprehensive, balanced, fair and mutually beneficial outcomes. It also enables a preferential, stable and predictable trade ecosystem for Indian exporters in the trading partner countries. In addition to this structured approach, post-implementation, the Government is continuously engaged with all stakeholders to ensure effective FTA utilization through trade promotion, trade facilitation and addressing challenges if any. Indicatively, among the recently signed FTAs, the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) signed with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) in March 2024 and implemented in October 2025 includes commitment to invest USD 100 billion in India over 15 years. Similarly, the India – New Zealand FTA signed in April, 2026 is committed to facilitate investments of USD 20 billion into India over the next 15 years.

Despite persistent global challenges, including geopolitical tensions and supply chain disruptions, India's exports increased from US$ 677 billion in FY 2021-22 to US$ 863 billion in FY 2025-26. Merchandise exports to major FTA partner countries and trade blocs have been substantial at US$ 179.1 billion in FY 2025-26, accounting for

40.5% of India's total merchandise exports. Merchandise export to recent FTA partner also indicated significant export growth. For example, exports to the UAE increased from US$ 16.7 billion in FY 2021-22 (prior to CEPA implementation) to US$ 37.4 billion in FY 2025-26, while exports to Australia rose from US$ 4.0 billion in FY 2021-22 to US$ 7.3 billion in FY 2025-26 following the implementation of ECTA. Similarly, exports 2to EFTA countries increased from US$ 1.64 billion in FY 2019-20 to US$ 1.76 billion in FY 2025-26.

(c) Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 establishes a strong data privacy framework. It places corresponding obligations on Data Fiduciaries to ensure lawful processing and protection of personal data. The Act empowers citizens by giving them rights enforceable against the Data Fiduciaries. The Digital Personal Data Protection

(DPDP) Rules 2025 notified to provide a comprehensive framework for the processing of personal data, including cross-border transfers. The framework enables the Central Government to prescribe additional conditions, including restrictions on the transfer of certain categories of personal data, where necessary.

Government is committed to fostering and expanding digital trade partnerships with potential nations across the world. For instance, Free Trade Agreements with United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and the European Union, include a dedicated chapter on Digital Trade with an aim to enhance and facilitate digital trade.

***** 3Annexure referred to in reply to Part (a) to (c) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No.

3818 for answer on 11.08.2026 Ongoing FTA Negotiations Ongoing FTA negotiations

1. India – Chile Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)

2. India – Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)

3. India-Eurasian Economic Union (India-EAEU) FTA

4. India – Israel FTA

5. India – Peru FTA

6. India – USA Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA)

7. India – Maldives FTA FTAs under review/ upgradation negotiations

1. India – Korea Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) Review

2. ASEAN - India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) Review

3. India – Australia Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA)

4. India – Sri Lanka Economic and Technology Co-operation Agreement (ETCA) Terms of Reference (ToR) Signed for negotiation

1. India – Philippines PTA

2. India – Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) India’s Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) in force Recent FTAs Date of Signing Date of Sl.

Name of the Agreement of the Implementation of No.

Agreement the Agreement India - Mauritius Comprehensive Economic 22nd February, 1 Cooperation and Partnership Agreement 1st April, 2021 2021

(CECPA) 18th February, 2 India-UAE CEPA 1st May 2022 2022 India-Australia Economic Cooperation and 29th December 3 2nd April, 2022 Trade Agreement (Ind-Aus ECTA) 2022 India-European Free Trade Association

(EFTA) Trade and Economic Partnership 10th March 4 01st October 2025 Agreement (TEPA) (Iceland, Liechtenstein, 2024 Norway, and Switzerland) India - UK Comprehensive Economic and 5 24th July 2025 15th July 2026 Trade Agreement (CETA) 18th December 6 India – Oman CEPA 01st June 2026 2025 Under ratification 7 India-New Zealand FTA 27th April 2026 process 4Note : FTA negotiations with the European Union have been concluded on 27th January

2026. Also, India and the United States of America (USA) have announced on February 7, 2026 that the United States of America (United States) and India have reached a framework for an Interim Agreement regarding reciprocal and mutually beneficial trade.

Negotiations are ongoing.

Other FTAs Sl. Name of the Date of Signing Date of Implementation of the No. Agreement of the Agreement Agreement 1 India - Sri Lanka FTA 28th December, 1st March, 2000 1998 2 Agreement on SAFTA 4th January, 1st January, 2006 (India, Pakistan, Nepal, 2004 (Tariff concessions implemented from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, 1st July, 2006) Bhutan, Maldives and Afghanistan) 3 India Nepal Treaty of 27th October, This Treaty shall be automatically Trade 2009 extended for further periods of seven years at a time, unless either of the parties gives to the other a written notice, three months in advance, of its intention to terminate the Treaty.

4 India - Bhutan 17th January, Renewed periodically, with mutually Agreement on Trade 1972 agreed modifications. Agreement Commerce and Transit dated 29th July 2006 was valid for 10 years. With mutual consent, the validity was extended for a period of one year or the period till the proposed new Agreement comes into force. The renewed Agreement has been signed on 12.11.2016 and came into force with effect from 29 July 2017, for a period of 10 years.

5 India - Thailand FTA - 9th October, 1st September, 2004 Early Harvest Scheme 2003

(EHS) 6 India - Singapore CECA 29th June, 2005 1st August, 2005 7 India - ASEAN- CECA - 13th August, Goods Trade in Goods, 2009 for goods Services and and November • 1st January 2010 in respect of Investment Agreement 2014 for India and Malaysia, Singapore, (Brunei, Cambodia, Services and Thailand.

Indonesia, Laos, Investment • 1st June 2010 in respect of Malaysia, Myanmar, India and Vietnam.

Philippines, Singapore, • 1st September 2010 in respect Thailand and Vietnam) of India and Myanmar. • 1st October 2010 in respect of India and Indonesia.

5• 1st November 2010 in respect of India and Brunei. • 24th January 2011 in respect of India and Laos. • 1st June 2011 in respect of India and the Philippines. • 1st August, 2011 in respect of India and Cambodia.

Services and Investment 1st July, 2015 8 India - South Korea 7th August, 2009 1st January, 2010 CEPA 9 India - Japan CEPA 16th February, 1st August, 2011 2011 10 India - Malaysia CECA 18th February, 1st July, 2011 2011 ***** 6