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New Delhi: India and Bulgaria have called for the early implementation of the India–European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA) as the two countries reviewed their bilateral relationship during the latest round of Foreign Office Consultations in New Delhi . The discussions covered defence, trade and investment, artificial intelligence, space, science and technology and people-to-people ties.
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The consultations were co-chaired by Sibi George, Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs, and Christo Polendakov, Bulgaria’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. The two sides reviewed political engagement as well as opportunities to expand cooperation across economic and technology-intensive sectors. They also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.
The emphasis on the India–EU FTA reflects the importance both sides attach to deeper economic integration with the European market. The European Commission has already moved forward with the agreement, with the EU describing it as its largest trade agreement and highlighting potential gains from tariff reductions across a market covering nearly 2 billion people and close to a quarter of global GDP.
For Bulgaria, the agreement could create additional opportunities for trade and investment with India. EU data puts Bulgarian exports to India at about €200 million in 2025, while the bilateral investment stock stood at €57 million in 2024.
The consultations also come after External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s June visit to Bulgaria, during which the two sides discussed expanding cooperation in areas including engineering, pharmaceuticals, digital technologies and defence. Jaishankar had also highlighted the broader India–EU partnership and encouraged Bulgarian businesses to explore investment and collaboration opportunities in India.
The latest engagement therefore combines the bilateral track with India’s wider European outreach, with trade and investment, defence and emerging technologies emerging as important areas for expanding India–Bulgaria ties.
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