India and the European Union (EU) are negotiating two separate agreements on investment protection and Geographical Indications (GIs). Both sides are also preparing to sign their free trade agreement (FTA). The proposed pacts could boost investment, protect regional products and require changes to Indian laws. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal confirmed that India and the EU continue to discuss the Investment Protection Agreement (IPA). He also said India needs to make legal changes before it can conclude the proposed GI agreement. "Discussions are underway on a bilateral investment agreement or the IPA, and for the GI pact, we need to make some legal changes," Goyal told reporters. The two agreements remain separate from the India-EU FTA. Both sides concluded FTA negotiations on January 27, 2026. However, the investment protection and GI agreements remain under negotiation, according to the European Commission's official trade records. New Delhi and Brussels aim to sign the FTA by the end of the year. The agreement could come into force in 2027. The additional pacts could strengthen the trade deal by encouraging cross-border investment and protecting products linked to specific regions.

India-EU Investment Protection Agreement Remains Under Negotiation

The proposed IPA aims to protect investments by Indian companies in the EU and European businesses in India. Both sides want to deepen economic ties and help businesses expand into each other's markets. A formal investment protection framework could give companies greater legal certainty when they invest abroad. According to a Hindustan Times report, EU Ambassador to India Jean-Eric Paquet described the IPA as an important complement to the FTA. Paquet confirmed that negotiations were ongoing. He identified the agreement's structure, scope and available remedies as key issues under discussion. However, he did not give a timeline for completing the talks. He also stressed that the agreement could help businesses make better use of the opportunities created by the trade deal. The EU has previously called for stronger investment conditions in India. In an address published by the European External Action Service in 2026, former EU Ambassador Herve Delphin said European companies were ready to invest more in India if the right conditions existed. Delphin also noted that the FTA did not include a chapter on investment liberalisation in non-services sectors. He suggested that both sides revisit the issue after the trade agreement takes effect.

What Is the Proposed Geographical Indications Agreement?

The proposed GI agreement aims to protect products whose identity, reputation or distinctive qualities come from a specific geographical area. Geographical indications help consumers identify authentic regional products. They also prevent businesses from using protected names when their goods do not meet the required origin or production standards. This protection can help producers preserve their reputation, prevent misleading use of product names and compete more effectively in domestic and international markets. Darjeeling tea is a prominent Indian example. Its reputation depends on its geographical origin. Protecting its name from unauthorised use is therefore important for tea growers and businesses. The EU also has an extensive system for protecting regional agricultural products, food and beverages. Roquefort cheese is one example of a product associated with a specific location and traditional production methods. A bilateral GI agreement could allow India and the EU to recognise and protect selected products in each other's markets. This could benefit farmers, food exporters, traditional industries and communities that depend on products with a recognised regional identity. However, the actual benefits will depend on the products covered and the final terms of the agreement. The European Commission lists the GI agreement separately from the FTA and IPA. Its published records show that India and the EU held six rounds of GI negotiations. The sixth round took place in March 2024. The commission's document repository also records eight rounds of investment protection negotiations. The latest published round took place in May 2026. These records show the history of the talks but do not confirm that either side has finalised an agreement.

Why India May Need to Change Its Laws

Goyal's comments highlight the legal changes that India may need to make to implement the GI agreement. India regulates geographical indications under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, and the associated rules. This framework allows authorities to register and protect geographical indications. It also helps prevent the unauthorised use of protected product names. India will need to assess any proposed changes against its existing legal framework and the commitments under discussion. The final requirements will depend on the agreement's provisions and the obligations both sides accept.

India and EU Prepare to Sign Free Trade Agreement

India and the EU are advancing the wider FTA while continuing negotiations on investment protection and geographical indications. Both sides concluded FTA negotiations on January 27, 2026, at the 16th India-EU Summit in New Delhi. The agreement aims to reduce or eliminate tariffs on most bilateral goods trade. It also seeks to improve market access for businesses in both markets. On September 11, the European Commission presented proposals to the EU Council for the signing and conclusion of the FTA. This move started the next stage of the EU's approval process. The agreement must complete the required formal approvals before it can take effect. Reuters reported that Goyal expected the FTA to become operational within four to five months of signing. He made the remarks during a visit to Germany. A Hindustan Times report said both sides were working towards signing the agreement in December. The signing could coincide with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's expected visit to Brussels. However, the report cited people familiar with the discussions and noted that the timeline could change. In a joint statement issued on January 27, 2026, Indian and European leaders urged both sides to complete the IPA and GI negotiations as soon as possible. They also pledged to increase bilateral investment and strengthen cooperation in industrial development, job creation and supply chains.

India-EU Trade and Investment Relations

The proposed agreements form part of broader efforts to strengthen economic ties between India and the EU, one of India's largest trading partners. According to the European Commission's trade profile, bilateral trade in goods reached €118 billion in 2025. The EU accounted for 11.1% of India's total goods trade, making it India's third-largest trading partner in this category. India ranked as the EU's ninth-largest trading partner in goods in 2025. It accounted for 2.3% of the bloc's total goods trade. India exports machinery and appliances, chemicals, textiles, metals and petroleum products to the EU. European exports to India mainly include industrial goods such as machinery, transport equipment and chemicals. The FTA aims to lower trade costs and improve access to both markets. The IPA and GI agreement could support these goals by protecting investments and safeguarding products linked to specific geographical regions. The FTA has moved towards the signing and approval stages, but the two additional agreements still require further negotiations. If completed, they could expand cooperation on trade, investment and the protection of regional products between India and the European Union.