John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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211. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he expects India and the EU to conclude a trade deal by end of 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27172/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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It is the stated goal of the European Commission and India to conclude a trade agreement by the end of 2025. Ireland supports this ambition.

Recent developments in the international trading environment have highlighted more than ever the importance of market diversification via an expanded set of EU Free Trade Agreements. As a result, there is increased momentum behind the deal, which is key to strengthening the strategic partnership between the EU and India.

To date there have been eleven rounds of negotiations and several chapters of the Agreement are now agreed in principle, with good progress being achieved in other areas. Last week my officials were briefed by the European Commission on the outcome of the latest round of negotiations which took place in New Delhi between 12 and 16 May.

Intensive work is being undertaken to achieve an economically meaningful agreement with good market access for EU firms. The 12^th round of negotiations is currently planned to take place in Brussels at the beginning of July.

Ireland fully supports free, fair and open trade and will continue to work with the EU and all Member States to negotiate a beneficial deal with India.