India Celebrates 2 Years of India-EFTA Trade & Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA)

New Delhi, March 12, 2026: Two years since the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) came into force, the partnership between India and the EFTA nations – Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein is already transforming trade, investment, and employment opportunities for the country.

Signed with a vision to strengthen economic cooperation, TEPA enhances market access, facilitates investments, and creates job opportunities. The agreement has set the stage for $100 billion in investments and the potential to generate 1 million direct jobs across sectors.

Expanded Market Access

TEPA has opened significant trade channels for both India and EFTA:

• EFTA commitments: 92.2% of tariff lines removed, covering 99.6% of Indian exports.

• India commitments: 82.7% of tariff lines removed, covering 95.3% of EFTA exports.

This enhanced access enables Indian businesses to compete more effectively in Europe’s high-value markets.

Boost for Indian Exports

Several key sectors stand to gain from TEPA, including:

• Pharmaceuticals – Increased market access for generic and specialty drugs.

• Textiles & Apparel – Opportunities in high-end fabrics and garments.

• Engineering Goods & Chemicals – Easier entry into European industrial markets.

• Processed Foods – Expanding exports of Indian culinary products globally.

Services & Professional Mobility

TEPA is not limited to goods trade. It also facilitates digital services exports, mobility of professionals, and mutual recognition of select professional qualifications, opening doors for Indian IT, consulting, and healthcare professionals abroad.

Beyond Trade: Investment & Sustainable Development

The agreement also provides frameworks for:

• Investment promotion – Encouraging EFTA businesses to invest in India.

• Trade facilitation – Streamlining logistics, standards, and customs processes.

• Standards cooperation – Aligning product quality and safety norms.

• Sustainable development – Promoting green and responsible trade practices.

Why TEPA Matters

By strengthening India’s position as a global trade and investment hub, TEPA is driving economic growth, enhancing exports, and creating high-quality jobs. For companies and professionals, it unlocks a new era of opportunities in European markets.

As India celebrates two years of TEPA, industry experts and business leaders view it as a strategic milestone, paving the way for stronger bilateral trade, deeper investment flows, and long-term economic collaboration with EFTA nations.