Sovereignty vs. Standards in the India–EU Free Trade Agreement

EuroScope @ Global Eye Intelligence presents a critical policy brief decoding one of the most underestimated deal-breakers in the India–EU Free Trade Agreement: Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT). Sovereignty vs. Standards examines how India’s Quality Control Orders (QCOs) and the EU’s harmonised regulatory framework have collided, turning standards, conformity assessments, and mutual recognition into a strategic chessboard.

This report explains why unresolved TBT disputes—especially in automobiles, pharmaceuticals, electronics, and consumer goods—have stalled negotiations despite multiple rounds of talks. It unpacks the deeper ideological divide between India’s emphasis on regulatory sovereignty and domestic industrial protection, and the EU’s push for harmonisation, MRAs, and predictable compliance aligned with global norms. The brief also outlines economic implications, from restricted EU market access to risks for India’s integration into global value chains.

Beyond diagnosis, the report presents scenario pathways, policy options, and practical recommendations that could unlock progress without eroding regulatory authority. For policymakers, exporters, manufacturers, investors, and trade analysts, this is essential intelligence on how standards—not tariffs—will decide the fate of the India–EU partnership.

If you want to understand trade negotiations before they reshape supply chains and markets, follow EuroScope @ Global Eye Intelligence. Download this policy brief now and stay ahead of regulatory geopolitics.

Keywords: India EU FTA standards, technical barriers to trade, Quality Control Orders India, EU regulatory harmonisation, trade compliance analysis, EuroScope policy brief, India EU trade negotiations, Global Eye Intelligence Europe.