【SMM Aluminum Flash News】EU–India trade agreement opens a new regulatory perspective for Indian aluminium producers
The conclusion of negotiations on the EU–India Free Trade Agreement creates a new context for Indian manufacturers considering the European market, but future opportunities will increasingly depend on regulatory preparedness as well as commercial competitiveness. Negotiations on the Free Trade Agreement were concluded in January 2026. Earlier this month, the European Commission submitted proposals to the EU Council for its signature and conclusion. The Agreement is not yet in force and remains subject to the required European and Indian procedures. For the Indian aluminium industry, the development comes at a time when access to Europe is increasingly shaped by environmental, product and supply-chain regulation. One of the most immediate examples is the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which entered its definitive regime on 1 January 2026 and covers aluminium among its principal sectors. In August, the European Commission issued updated guidance specifically addressing aluminium producers outside the EU.