The stage is set in New Delhi for a landmark moment in India-EU relations. European heavyweights, including Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa, have arrived for India’s Republic Day and an EU-India summit, fueling expectations of a breakthrough on the Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Malta’s High Commissioner Ruben Gauci, in a candid conversation, labeled this prospective pact as the ‘Mother of All Deals’.

Gauci’s enthusiasm stems from recent high-level engagements that have accelerated talks. He pointed to an early February visit by the European Commission chief’s representative as a turning point. ‘That visit truly advanced the EU-India FTA discussions,’ he said. The envoy stressed the mutual priority: India’s prominence in EU strategies mirrors the EU’s place on India’s radar.

For Malta, the stakes are personal. As a compact EU member, it grapples with a lopsided trade balance—importing tenfold from India compared to its exports. The FTA represents a pathway to equilibrium. ‘We want to level the playing field and expand our exports,’ Gauci stated, noting Malta’s reliance on EU-level negotiations due to the bloc’s unified trade policy.

Gauci has been tracking the negotiations from day one. ‘We anticipate signatures soon, creating a historic agreement,’ he predicted. This FTA isn’t just about tariffs; it’s poised to enhance supply chains, investment flows, and collaboration in emerging sectors like green technology and digital trade.

Amid global uncertainties, the India-EU partnership gains urgency. Successful conclusion of the deal could serve as a model for multilateral trade pacts, bolstering economic resilience. As leaders convene, the world awaits news of a deal that could propel bilateral trade to new heights, fostering prosperity across continents.