India and the European Union on Monday opened a new round of trade negotiations here in an attempt to overcome their remaining differences, which have been holding back the signing of a long-awaited free trade agreement (FTA).
Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Anand Sharma held discussion with EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht at the European Commission building in Brussels, a commission spokesperson told the news agency. The negotiations are taking place in the backdrop of fresh optimism expressed by both sides that after more than six years of negotiations a deal on a comprehensive Bilateral Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA) between India and its largest trading partner could be reached before the end of this year.