Fianna Fáil MEP for the Midlands North-West Barry CowenCowen welcomes landmark EU-India free trade dealFianna Fáil MEP for the Midlands North-West Barry Cowen, has welcomed the conclusion of negotiations on a landmark Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and India. The agreement, the largest free trade deal ever concluded by either side, will create a free trade zone covering almost two billion people and is expected to significantly increase EU exports to the world’s fastest growing large economy. Indian tariffs on products like wines, spirits and olive oil will fall substantially, while sensitive European agricultural sectors will remain protected. Mr Cowen, a member of the European Parliament’s International Trade Committee and Agriculture Committee, has been actively engaged on EU-India relations and has participated in a recent trade mission to New Delhi and parliamentary work focused on advancing the negotiations. It sends a powerful signal that rules-based trade, openness and partnership between democracies still matter and still deliver.

Source: Irish Independent January 27, 2026 11:38 UTC