India and the European Union (EU) today announced, during the EU–India Summit in New Delhi, the conclusion of negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). This development follows nearly two decades of discussions and aims to create a combined market of approximately 2 billion consumers, representing around 25% of global GDP.
The Institutional Framework
Negotiations were successfully concluded yesterday, 26 January 2026. Today’s announcement marks the beginning of the process to finalize the legal text of the agreement. The primary objective of the FTA is to facilitate bilateral trade in goods and services and to strengthen investment flows between the two sides.
Bilateral trade in goods reached approximately USD 136.5 billion in the 2024–25 fiscal year, with the EU standing as India’s largest trading partner in goods. The official signing of the agreement is expected within 2026, while full implementation is projected for 2027.
Analysis of the Natural Stone and Ceramics Sector
The natural stone sector (marble, granite, quartzite) and ceramic products already play a central role in trade relations between India and the EU. Eurostat data for 2024 highlight the following trade flows:
| Product (2024 data) | Exports (EU → India) | Imports (India → EU) |
|---|---|---|
| Raw Marble | €64,529,956 | €1,053,510 |
| Processed Marble | €12,853,733 | €16,903,643 |
| Raw Granite | €985,434 | €25,611,550 |
| Processed Granite | €204,378 | €201,328,140 |
| Raw Quartzite | €287,198 | €344,990 |
| Processed Quartzite | €474,893 | €8,765,681 |
| Ceramic Products | €22,593,474 | €295,026,887 |
The data indicate that India is a significant market for European raw and processed marble, while imports of processed granite and ceramic products from India into the EU remain particularly high.
Outlook and Clarifications
To date, no official information has been published regarding the specific products that will be covered or excluded under the agreement. However, based on available information, natural stone and ceramic products do not appear on the official exclusion lists. It can therefore be inferred that these products are likely to be covered by the FTA, although this has not yet been formally confirmed.
Conclusion
The EU–India Free Trade Agreement is expected to reshape the bilateral trade landscape. Given its existing trade momentum, the natural stone and ceramics sector is strategically positioned. The precise impact of the agreement will become fully clear once the detailed product lists benefiting from tariff reductions are officially published.
