India, Qatar more likely to finalise phrases of reference for FTA in early-October

India is more likely to finalise phrases of reference for a free commerce settlement (FTA) with Qatar within the first week of October, stated a authorities supply on Monday (September 8, 2025). The supply added that Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal might go to the Gulf nation to finalise the identical on October 6.

The chance of a complete financial partnership settlement (CEPA) with Doha was first introduced this February throughout the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani’s go to to India. The two sides sought to double their bilateral commerce by 2030.

Doha accounts for 1.22% of India’s complete commerce. In FY 2024-25, India exported items price about $1.68 billion while it imports totalled $12.47 billion. Qatar’s key exports to India embrace liquified pure gasoline (LNG), liquified petroleum gasoline (LPG), chemical compounds and petrochemicals and aluminium articles, amongst different issues.

Expanding the variety of FTA companions has emerged as an crucial for New Delhi in response to U.S. President Donald Trump-induced tariff regime. Washington instituted a 50% tariff on Indian merchandise inclusive of a 25% penalty for getting Russian oil. For perspective, commerce with the North American nation accounted for 11.4% of India’s general commerce in FY 2024-25.  

EU talks progressing properly

Enumerating progress in regards to the commerce settlement with the European Union, the supply acknowledged that talks had been progressing properly with a delegation of the European Union already in New Delhi. Mr. Goyal is anticipated to satisfy the commerce commissioner for EU Maroš Šefčovič this Friday (September 12, 2025) as a part of the thirteenth spherical of talks.