New Delhi, February 11: The recently signed free trade agreement (FTA) between India and the European Union (EU), dubbed the ‘Mother of All Deals,’ presents a glimpse into the evolving global landscape. According to a recent report by The Guardian, this agreement emerges at a time when threats to regional boundaries, rising tariffs, and the weakening of international institutions are becoming more pronounced, offering a new direction for global trade.
This landmark trade deal was announced by Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, Antonio Costa, President of the European Council, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It promises to unite nearly 2 billion consumers and account for about a quarter of the world’s GDP.
Ravinder Kaur, a professor of Asian Studies at the University of Copenhagen, notes that the growing partnership between India and the EU indicates a mutual desire to strengthen international institutions and enhance cooperation in areas such as security and defense, research, mobility of people, and connectivity, including increased participation in the Indo-Pacific region.
She further observes that as the United States appears to be retreating into its own sphere, the Indo-Pacific region is becoming more open to collaboration with the EU.
Kaur asserts that the ‘post-US world’ is already taking shape, with the India-EU free trade agreement serving as a prime example.
Brussels has also recently finalized a trade agreement with the Mercosur trade bloc in South America, with several other agreements in the pipeline. Reports indicate that India has secured trade deals with the UK and New Zealand in recent months as well.
Kaur emphasizes that while these agreements may take time to implement and could face obstacles, they signal a significant global transformation. She suggests that the world is moving towards a vision long sought by many nations outside the West—such as a multipolar order, strategic autonomy, and reduced reliance on the dollar. This shift is unfolding gradually but is now accelerating.
Meanwhile, a South Asia expert at the Asia Society in New York believes that the recent FTA between India and the EU may have prompted the U.S. to advance its trade negotiations with India.
Farwa Amer, Director of the South Asia Initiative at the Asia Society Policy Institute (ASPI), stated, “Trade talks between India and the U.S. have been ongoing for some time, but the agreement with the EU likely encouraged the U.S. to expedite discussions.” She also noted that the timing of this deal is particularly interesting, as it follows closely after the EU FTA.
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My name is Ganpat Singh Choughan. I am an experienced content writer with 7 years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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