Excitement is palpable in India’s capital as EU leaders Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa join Republic Day festivities and summit talks. Central to the agenda is the EU-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which Malta High Commissioner Ruben Gauci describes as nothing short of the ‘Mother of All Deals’.
Speaking exclusively, Gauci forecasted the signing of this transformative pact imminently. He linked the leaders’ visit to India’s elevated status in Europe. ‘The EU President’s presence here confirms India’s priority, reciprocated by the EU’s position on India’s agenda,’ he observed, referencing recent ambassadorial meetings with Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar.
A pivotal moment was the February visit by a top European Commission aide, which Gauci says injected momentum into stalled talks. Malta, despite its size, plays a crucial role in the EU and eyes the FTA to rectify its trade imbalance with India—where imports dwarf exports by a factor of ten. ‘We’re a small country, but we seek balance via this agreement,’ he asserted.
Bound by EU rules, Malta defers trade negotiations to Brussels. Yet, Gauci remains vigilant. ‘We’ve followed every step since talks began, and a deal is on the horizon,’ he said confidently. The FTA promises tariff cuts, market access, and boosted investments, particularly in services and innovation.
This development aligns with India’s ‘Act East’ and Europe’s diversification strategies. A signed FTA would not only surge bilateral trade volumes but also strengthen strategic ties, from climate action to defense. With negotiations in endgame, this could herald a new era of economic synergy between the world’s largest democracy and the continent of innovation.