Govt expands FTA network to diversify export markets

New Delhi, July 21 (AHN) The Government has undertaken several initiatives to diversify export markets, including the signing of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), pursuing trade negotiations with major economies and undertaking focused export promotion activities through Export Promotion Mission, Indian Missions overseas, Export Promotion Councils (EPCs), industry associations and other stakeholders, according to a statement tabled in Parliament on Tuesday.

The Government has signed seven FTAs in the last five years. These include: India–Mauritius Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA), India–UAE CEPA, India–Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (Ind-Aus ECTA), India–European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA), India–Oman CEPA, India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the India–New Zealand FTA, Minister of State for Commerce Jitin Prasada stated in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.

The India–European Union FTA negotiations also concluded on January 27, 2026. Additionally, India and the United States of America announced on February 7, 2026, that they had reached a framework for an Interim Agreement on reciprocal and mutually beneficial trade. Negotiations are ongoing, the statement said.

FTAs are entered into with trading partner countries primarily to increase bilateral trade by expanding market access and building on trade complementarities. They provide enhanced export potential, create benefits for industry and farmers and enhance job opportunities. FTAs facilitate preferential market access for products from labour-intensive sectors, boosting growth and employment opportunities in sectors such as textiles, apparel and leather goods. They endeavour to deliver a comprehensive, balanced, broad-based and equitable agreement based on fairness, reciprocity and overall benefit to all stakeholders, the statement explained.

The FTAs include provisions on Technical Barriers to Trade to promote mutual understanding of each side’s standards, technical regulations, and measures, and to enhance transparency. These provisions facilitate smoother and more effective access to export markets for Indian goods. The Government engages with trading partners through bilateral, regional and multilateral mechanisms to address non-tariff barriers (NTBs) and improve market access for Indian exports.

These include holding regular meetings and direct talks with partners through Joint Committees and Working Groups established under trade agreements to solve specific export problems, consultations with partner countries to resolve market access issues, technical discussions on sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures, technical trade barriers (TBT), standards, conformity assessment procedures and regulatory requirements. The Government also engages continuously with stakeholders to identify and address market access concerns in key export destinations, including the European Union, Africa and Southeast Asia, according to the statement.

The Government has also undertaken various policy and facilitation measures to promote cross-border e-commerce exports, particularly for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), startups, artisans and other small exporters. Key initiatives include the Export Promotion Mission (EPM), launched in 2025 to strengthen India’s export competitiveness with a total outlay of Rs 25,060 crore for the period FY 2025–26 to FY 2030–31, the statement added.