Functions of the Division
The Division deals with India’s trade and economic cooperation with 38 Countries of Europe region, divided mainly into three Groups:
- European Union : Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherland, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovak Rep, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and UK [till the BREXIT transition period ending on 31.12.2020]
- European Free Trade Agreement : Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland
- Other European Countries : Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Turkey
Bilateral Trade Statistics
Trade with EU, EFTA, and Other European Countries
Trade with EU, EFTA, and Other European Countries |
Value in USD billion |
2015-16 |
2016-17 |
2017-18 |
2018-19 |
2019-20 |
EU |
Exports |
44.57 |
47.29 |
53.6 |
57.17 |
53.73 |
% growth |
-9.85 |
6.07 |
13.34 |
6.66 |
-6.01 |
Imports |
43.90 |
42.36 |
47.87 |
58.43 |
51.2 |
% growth |
-10.79 |
-3.51 |
12.95 |
22.05 |
-12.37 |
Total of EU |
88.47 |
89.65 |
101.47 |
115.60 |
104.93 |
Trade balance |
0.67 |
4.93 |
5.73 |
-1.26 |
2.53 |
EFTA |
Exports |
1.54 |
1.24 |
1.45 |
1.53 |
1.64 |
% growth |
13.72 |
-19.34 |
17.08 |
5.60 |
6.65 |
Imports |
19.89 |
17.82 |
19.77 |
18.47 |
17.54 |
% growth |
-14.04 |
-10.40 |
10.96 |
-6.61 |
-5.01 |
Total of EFTA |
21.43 |
19.06 |
21.23 |
20.00 |
19.18 |
Trade balance |
-18.35 |
-16.58 |
-18.32 |
-16.93 |
-15.91 |
Other European countries |
Exports |
5.27 |
4.77 |
5.26 |
5.64 |
5.16 |
% growth |
-22.44 |
-19.34 |
17.08 |
5.60 |
-8.60 |
Imports |
0.83 |
1.27 |
2.25 |
2.46 |
2.19 |
% growth |
-47.01 |
-10.40 |
10.96 |
-6.61 |
-10.83 |
Total of Other European countries |
6.10 |
6.04 |
7.51 |
8.10 |
7.35 |
Trade balance |
4.44 |
3.50 |
3.01 |
3.18 |
2.96 |
Europe |
Total bilateral trade with Europe |
115.07 |
114.80 |
130.25 |
143.74 |
131.44 |
Trade balance |
-14.25 |
-8.14 |
-9.55 |
-14.98 |
-10.42 |
India’s Major Trading Partners of Europe
Country |
Exports (USD Bn) |
Imports (USD Bn) |
Total trade (USD Bn) |
2016-17 |
2017-18 |
2018-19 |
2019-20 |
2016-17 |
2017-18 |
2018-19 |
2019-20 |
2016-17 |
2017-18 |
2018-19 |
2019-20 |
Germany |
7.18 |
8.69 |
8.90 |
8.29 |
11.58 |
13.30 |
15.17 |
13.35 |
18.76 |
21.99 |
24.07 |
21.64 |
Switzerland |
0.98 |
1.08 |
1.19 |
1.20 |
17.25 |
18.92 |
18.09 |
16.90 |
18.23 |
20.00 |
19.28 |
18.10 |
UK |
8.55 |
9.71 |
9.33 |
8.74 |
3.66 |
4.81 |
7.56 |
6.71 |
12.21 |
14.52 |
16.89 |
15.45 |
Belgium |
5.66 |
6.21 |
6.73 |
5.81 |
6.62 |
5.99 |
10.47 |
8.88 |
12.28 |
12.20 |
17.20 |
14.69 |
Netherland |
5.07 |
6.26 |
8.81 |
8.37 |
1.90 |
2.51 |
4.06 |
3.39 |
6.97 |
8.77 |
12.87 |
11.76 |
France |
5.25 |
4.90 |
5.24 |
5.10 |
5.71 |
6.52 |
6.67 |
5.96 |
10.96 |
11.42 |
11.91 |
11.05 |
Italy |
4.90 |
5.71 |
5.59 |
4.97 |
3.90 |
4.71 |
5.29 |
4.49 |
8.80 |
10.42 |
10.88 |
9.46 |
Turkey |
4.63 |
5.09 |
5.45 |
4.97 |
1.21 |
2.13 |
2.39 |
2.12 |
5.84 |
7.22 |
7.84 |
7.09 |
Spain |
3.43 |
4.00 |
4.18 |
3.95 |
1.97 |
1.66 |
1.68 |
1.61 |
5.40 |
5.66 |
5.86 |
5.56 |
Poland |
1.20 |
1.54 |
1.57 |
1.55 |
0.69 |
0.77 |
0.79 |
0.85 |
1.89 |
2.31 |
2.36 |
2.40 |
Sweden |
0.71 |
0.77 |
0.79 |
0.75 |
1.16 |
1.46 |
1.33 |
1.11 |
1.87 |
2.23 |
2.12 |
1.86 |
Portugal |
0.67 |
0.75 |
0.74 |
0.74 |
0.14 |
0.19 |
0.13 |
0.14 |
0.81 |
0.94 |
0.87 |
0.89 |
Total of Europe |
53.33 |
60.35 |
64.38 |
60.51 |
61.47 |
69.9 |
79.36 |
70.93 |
114.8 |
130.25 |
143.74 |
131.44 |
World |
275.85 |
303.53 |
330.08 |
313.22 |
384.36 |
465.58 |
514.08 |
473.99 |
687.88 |
795.66 |
827.30 |
858.35 |
% share of Europe |
19.3% |
19.9% |
19.5% |
19.3% |
16.0% |
15.0% |
15.4% |
15.0% |
16.7% |
16.4% |
17.4% |
15.3% |
Foreign Direct Investment
The EU continues to be one of the largest sources of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) for India with FDI inflows from the EU to India valued at US $ 109.55 billion from Apr 2000-March 2020. The FDI from EFTA and other European Countries in the same period is valued at US$ 5.39 billion.
Trade Agreement and Negotiations (ongoing)
EU – India and EU are negotiating a broad-based Bilateral Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA). India is committed to an early and balanced outcome of India-EU BTIA Negotiations.
EFTA – India and EFTA are negotiating a Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement and are committed for its early conclusion.
Other Negotiations: Detailed deliberations with the UK side are underway for an Enhanced Trade Partnership between India & UK, post the BREXIT transition period ending on 31st December 2020
Meetings under Institutional Mechanism held recently
Sl No. |
Subject |
Date |
1. |
Meeting of India-EU Sub-commission on Trade in Brussels to discuss issues of mutual concern, including non-tariff barriers and their early resolution |
4 July, 2019 |
2. |
16th Session of Joint Economic Commission between India and Belgium-Luxembourg Economic Union (BLEU) in New Delhi Co-chaired by Commerce Secretary to discuss Trade and Investment, Economic cooperation, Market access issues, Bilateral agreements and procedures |
17 September 2019 |
3. |
19th session of India-Finland Joint Commission on Economic Cooperation in New Delhi to review Economic situation in both counties along with bilateral trade and investment and to discuss Trade promotion measures |
20-21 November, 2019 |
4. |
1st Session of India-Norway Dialogue on Trade and Investment in New Delhi. |
15-16 January, 2020 |
5. |
10th Meeting of India-UK Joint Working Group on Trade & 2nd UK-India Multilateral Trade Dialogue in New Delhi. |
22 January, 2020 |
6. |
The 17th session of India-Switzerland Joint Economic Commission (JEC) in Berne, Switzerland. |
2-3 March, 2020 |
7. |
11th Meeting of India-UK Joint Working Group on Trade. |
24 June, 2020 |
8. |
14th meeting of the India-UK Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO), co-chaired by Hon’ble CIM from Indian side through virtual mode. |
24 July, 2020 |
Mandatory disclosures under RTI Act
Name, Designation and other particulars of the CPIO in respect of FT (Europe) Division under Section 4 of RTI – Act (Mandatory Disclosures):
Shri Y.P. DhewalDeputy Secretary