India, EAEU to Start First-Ever Free Trade Talks in November

India and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) are set to kick off their first round of negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) in early November 2025, marking a significant step toward deepening economic ties. The announcement follows a productive meeting in Moscow between India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, and Andrey Slepnev, the EAEU’s Minister in Charge of Trade.

The talks will focus on laying the groundwork for the FTA, with intensive consultations planned between India and the EAEU member states—Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia—before negotiations begin. The Russian Embassy’s statement highlighted that both ministers committed to regular communication to ensure robust support throughout the process. They also endorsed a roadmap to streamline and accelerate the negotiations, reflecting a shared commitment to a swift and effective agreement.

The EAEU, headquartered in Moscow, is governed by the Eurasian Economic Commission, a supranational body that oversees the bloc’s operations and development. In late August 2025, India’s Chief Negotiator Ajay Bhadoo and EAEU’s Deputy Director Mikhail Cherekaev signed the Terms of Reference, establishing the framework for the upcoming talks.

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India’s trade with the EAEU reached $69 billion in 2024, reflecting a 7% year-on-year increase. An FTA with the five-nation bloc would open a $6.5-trillion market for Indian exporters, fostering fair competition and opportunities to diversify into new sectors. This development comes as India navigates challenges in securing a trade deal with the United States, its largest export market, with renewed talks led by Special Secretary Rajesh Agarwal and U.S. Chief Negotiator Brendan Lynch resuming on September 15, 2025.

The FTA negotiations with the EAEU signal India’s strategic push to expand its global trade footprint, leveraging the economic potential of this dynamic Eurasian bloc to boost exports and economic growth.

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