Parliament Question: FTA to maintain supply chain

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 889 ANSWERED ON 06/02/2026 FTA TO MAINTAIN SUPPLY CHAIN 889. SHRI RAJEEV SHUKLA Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state: (a) whether the Ministry has signed any Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to maintain the supply chain in view of the recent tariff hikes by the US; and (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI JITIN PRASADA) (a) & (b) Free Trade Agreements (FTA) primarily increase trade, including through enhanced market access, trade in services, addressing non-tariff barriers, investment promotion, and economic and technical co-operation. FTAs aim to build on trade complementarities to increase trade and investment, thereby enhancing export potential, creating prospects for industry and farmers, and creating job opportunities. In this financial year, the Government has signed Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) with the United Kingdom (UK) on 24th July, 2025 after completion of negotiations which were launched in 2022. The Government has also signed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with Oman on 18th December, 2025 for which negotiations commenced in 2023. India announced conclusion of negotiations on India-New Zealand FTA on December 22, 2025. Also, India announced the conclusion of negotiations of India and the European Union (EU) Free Trade Agreement on January 27, 2026. *****