Commerce Secretary presses India–EU trade ties in Brussels meetings

Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal held a round of meetings in Brussels on India's trade and strategic partnership with the European Union, the Commerce Ministry said.

He met three directors-general of the European Commission: Ditte Juul Jørgensen (trade and economic security), Koen Doens (international partnerships) and Gerassimos Thomas (taxation and customs union).

What was discussed

• Trade: with Jørgensen, measures to ease two-way trade, improve market access and strengthen supply chains. Both sides reaffirmed commitment to a "fair, balanced and mutually beneficial agreement" and agreed to stay in close contact on remaining procedural and implementation-related issues.
• Development: with Doens, cooperation on sustainable development, clean energy and green technologies.
• Customs: with Thomas, trade facilitation and preparations to implement the India–EU free trade agreement, including efficient, transparent and digital customs procedures.

Industry

Agrawal also met diamond-industry representatives linked to the Antwerp ecosystem. They discussed certification, traceability, responsible sourcing and India's growing diamond market. The release says India and Belgium see gems and jewellery as an area for deeper cooperation, with Antwerp, Mumbai and Surat as major diamond centres.

At a BusinessEurope roundtable, he spoke of India's growth and reform momentum and invited European businesses to join its value chains.

The release does not give a date for the agreement's implementation.

---

Source: official release by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, issued through the Press Information Bureau, Government of India (02 NOV 2026 9:34AM by PIB Delhi). Read the full official text: Commerce Secretary Shri Rajesh Agrawal holds high-level meetings with European Commission officials and industry representatives in Brussels.