India's recent FTAs promise tariff certainty and $60 trillion market access, says Commerce Secretary

Speaking at a Public Affairs Forum of India gathering, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal highlighted that the free trade agreements concluded over the past five to six years are crafted to give long-term investors confidence in India’s role within global supply chains. He stressed that tariff predictability is essential for moving goods across multiple regions and that the new pacts—covering partners like the EU, UK, Oman, New Zealand, UAE, Australia and the European Free Trade Association—provide that stability.

Agarwal cited a $100 billion foreign-direct investment pledge from the EFTA agreement and a $20 billion commitment from New Zealand as examples of the deals’ financial impact. He added that the agreements broaden export destinations, allowing Indian exporters to reach markets such as ASEAN, Australia and New Zealand, thereby de-risking supply chains. The tariff arbitrage enabled by multiple market access points, he said, supports sustainable export growth.