New Delhi, April 11 – India is increasingly signing free trade agreements (FTAs) with economies where trade corridors are already expanding and supply chains are already forming, according to a new report.
These FTAs are acting as accelerators of existing economic momentum, the report in Trade Finance Global states.
In a fragmented global trading system, this targeted approach appears to be particularly resilient.
“While tariff threats become commonplace elsewhere in the world, India is focusing on approaching trade with care and commitment, expanding its services provisions and translating its investment pipelines into new industrial capacity,” writes Anna Mahjar-Barducci.
The report states that between the fiscal years 2020-21 and 2024-25, India's trade with strategic FTA partners grew by 92 percent – more than double the 41.5 percent increase in India's overall merchandise trade with the rest of the world.
The country has steadily expanded its network of free trade agreements over the past few years to reach nine FTAs spanning as many as 38 countries.
Starting with the India-Mauritius agreement in 2021, the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement followed in May 2022. The India-Australia Economic and Trade Agreement was implemented in December 2022. India then signed the EFTA TEPA on March 10, 2024, which came into effect on October 1, 2025. The India-UK CETA was signed in July 2025, and the India-Oman CEPA in December 2025. The India-New Zealand FTA was announced on December 22, 2025, followed by the India-EU FTA on January 27, 2026.
With the United States, we have delivered a framework for an interim agreement on February 7, 2026, and solidified our global trade footprint, according to an official statement.
These agreements are aimed at benefiting farmers whose products now have access to the developed world. They are also for entrepreneurs, women-led MSMEs exporting garments, leather and handicrafts with new competitiveness.
The interests of all sensitive sectors — dairy, agriculture, farmers, and domestic industry — have been protected, and market access has been safeguarded. India has negotiated from strength to usher in an age of transformation in trade. Besides, every agreement has been unique and a recognition of the scale of the country’s market and economic potential.
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