The EU-India Free Trade Agreement is described as a transformative, win-win deal that could benefit nearly 200 crore people and create one of the world’s largest free trade zones.

Negotiations were relaunched in 2022, with the aim to eliminate or reduce tariffs on 96.6 percent of EU exports to India and 99.5 percent of Indian exports to the EU by value.

Proll calls the FTA the “mother of all deals” and notes Modi’s 2024 visit as a key diplomatic milestone in EU-India relations.

Future collaboration areas include artificial intelligence and building mutual dependencies in global supply chains to strengthen sovereignty.

Pröll highlighted his role in advancing Austria’s digital transformation, digital identity initiatives, and responsible use of emerging technologies, aiming for closer cooperation with India in academia, industry, and governance.

The interview took place as India hosted world leaders at the India-AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, underscoring broader EU-India cooperation in technology and defence.

Ambassador Kumar emphasized reducing over-dependencies and building redundancies in supply chains, with the FTA boosting manufacturing options and resilience for both sides.

Kumar noted a new phase in EU-India collaboration, focusing on defence industries and technology, including a security and defence partnership signed alongside the EU-India Summit.

Pröll attended the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, stressing productive discussions on using AI to improve public services and strengthen bilateral ties.

The ambassador suggested the India-EU relationship stands on its own merits and remains focused on mutual benefits and global stability, even amid past policy shifts.

Pröll argues for mutual dependencies in global supply chains to strengthen sovereignty through closer EU-India integration.

Modi’s 2024 visit to Austria is noted as part of the broader 75-year diplomatic relationship preceding the FTA.