Free trade agreements are not mere documents to be rushed through for headlines. Their consequences are far-reaching — impacting farmers, workers, businesses, and consumers on both continents. Each clause carries weight. Every concession can ripple across entire sectors. Responsible negotiation demands painstaking attention to detail, particularly when bridging economies as different and politically complex as those of India and the EU.
According to EU figures, 8,975 Indians filed for asylum applications across the EU in 2023. This figure fell to 8,676 in 2024. A total of 40,385 citizens from Bangladesh applied for asylum in the year 2023, which increased to 42, 236 in 2024. The EU figures did not mention the grounds for those seeking asylum from India or Bangladesh.