Goyal and Belgian PM De Wever push India–EU FTA at Mumbai dialogue
On 4 September 2026, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal addressed the India–Belgium High-Level Dialogue on the India–EU FTA in Mumbai with Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever.
Summary
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on 4 September 2026 that the India–European Union Free Trade Agreement opens huge opportunities for farmers, MSMEs, startups and businesses. Piyush Goyal was speaking at the India–Belgium High-Level Dialogue on the India–EU FTA in Mumbai, attended by Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The FTA, in the making for 25 years, brings together 2 billion people, a quarter of global GDP, a third of world trade and a USD 24 trillion market. All 27 EU countries support bringing it into force soon. India–EU trade has doubled in a decade to nearly USD 140 billion, and Bart De Wever highlighted the Port of Antwerp-Bruges as a gateway for Indian exports to Europe.
Key facts
- Event
- India–Belgium High-Level Dialogue on India–EU FTA, Mumbai, 4 Sep 2026
- Leaders
- Piyush Goyal, Belgian PM Bart De Wever, CM Devendra Fadnavis
- FTA scale
- 2 billion people; 1/4 of global GDP; 1/3 of world trade; USD 24 trillion
- Negotiation span
- 25 years
- India–EU trade
- ≈USD 140 billion, doubled in a decade
- Gateway
- Port of Antwerp-Bruges
Practice MCQs 4 questions
Which Belgian Prime Minister attended the India–Belgium High-Level Dialogue on the India–EU FTA in Mumbai on 4 September 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Bart De Wever
Belgian PM Bart De Wever attended the dialogue with Piyush Goyal and CM Devendra Fadnavis.
According to Piyush Goyal, the India–EU FTA brings together a market of how many people and what share of global GDP?
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Correct answer: D — 2 billion; one-quarter
The FTA brings together 2 billion people, a quarter of global GDP, a third of world trade and a USD 24 trillion market.
India–EU bilateral trade, which has doubled in the last decade, stands at nearly how much as per the Commerce Ministry (September 2026)?
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Correct answer: A — USD 140 billion
Piyush Goyal said India–EU trade has doubled in the last decade to nearly USD 140 billion; USD 24 trillion is the combined market size.
Consider the following statements from the India–Belgium High-Level Dialogue on the India–EU FTA: 1. All 27 EU countries are on board and want the agreement brought into force at the earliest. 2. The Port of Antwerp-Bruges was highlighted as a gateway for Indian exports into Europe. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as per the Commerce Ministry release.