India Urges Exporters to Tap India-EFTA TEPA Opportunities
- Duty-free coverage: 99.6% Indian exports
- Investment target: $100 billion FDI
- Employment goal: One million jobs
- Partner bloc: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland
Nearly all Indian merchandise shipped to Europe's wealthiest four-nation bloc can now enter tariff-free. Yet, one year after the trade pact took effect, domestic businesses have barely tapped a half-trillion-dollar import market. Speaking at the India-EFTA Prosperity Summit in New Delhi, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal urged exporters to move beyond routine shipments and integrate long-term supply chains across Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein.
Under the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement, EFTA nations eliminated duties on 92.2% of their tariff lines, granting duty-free entry to 99.6% of Indian exports, including all non-agricultural goods. In return, India granted tariff concessions across 82.7% of its tariff lines, covering 95.3% of EFTA shipments. The ministry stressed that predictable, locked-in duty structures provide the legal certainty manufacturers need to plan long-term capital investments.
The agreement also features a binding economic pledge, requiring EFTA states to target $100 billion in foreign direct investment into India and generate one million jobs over 15 years. To mobilize this capital and expand export volumes, the Department of Commerce directed export promotion councils and state authorities to draft country-specific roadmaps addressing non-tariff hurdles and expanding high-value agricultural shipments.
Frequently Asked Questions
What export benefits does India receive under the India-EFTA TEPA?
EFTA nations grant duty-free access across 92.2% of tariff lines, covering 99.6% of India's exports and all non-agricultural merchandise.
What is the investment commitment under the India-EFTA trade pact?
EFTA member states aim to invest $50 billion within 10 years and another $50 billion over the following five years, targeting one million jobs in India.
Which countries are included in the EFTA bloc?
The European Free Trade Association comprises Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein.
Source
Press Information Bureau Release No. 2320142, Ministry of Commerce & Industry (Release ID: 2320142) · 2026-10-07
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