BRUSSELS

Indian and EU officials remained confident that a trade deal between the two sides could be concluded by the end of the year, as the 14th round of negotiations drew to a close on Friday (October 10, 2025) in Brussels.

“I can’t imagine a scenario where we’re not close to or have not concluded the FTA at the end of the year,” an EU official, who did not want to be named, told The Hindu on Thursday (October 9, 2025).

Rajesh Agrawal, who has thus far led the negotiations with the U.S. and taken over as Commerce Secretary on October 1 , was in Brussels this week, departing the city on Friday (October 10, 2025) evening. The Hindu understands that with Mr. Agrawal’s appointment as Commerce Secretary, the Ministry’s Darpan Jain will lead India’s negotiations with the U.S., with M

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