Chennai, Jan 27 (.) The `mother of all deals’- the India-EU FTA – should ensure a level playing field and the real test will be managing the non-tariff barriers and compliance costs, said industry officials.
“The India–EU FTA must ensure a level playing field for India’s medical device manufacturers. With fair regulatory alignment and safeguards against predatory imports, (especially from third countries) this agreement can unlock high‑value collaboration, boost domestic manufacturing, and support India’s ambition to become a top‑five global MedTech hub,” said Rajiv Nath, Forum Coordinator, Association of Indian Medical Device Industry (AiMeD).
“The goal should be mutual growth anchored in quality, transparency, and patient safety under a MRA (mutual recognition agreement) based on common ISO standards,” Nath said.
“We look forward to reviewing the fine print and the follow on cooperation discussions,” Nath added.
The India-EU FTA offers a much-needed lifeline — unlocking preferential access to a €15-trillion-plus market with tariffs eliminated or cut on more than 99% of Indian export value and opening doors for labour-intensive goods ranging from textiles and gems to engineering products, said K.E.Raghunathan, National Chairman of Association of Indian Entrepreneurs (AIE).
After months of battling punitive tariffs of up to 50% imposed by the United States — a blow that disrupted supply chains and eroded export competitiveness for small exporters — this pact is seen as a strategic pivot to diversify export destinations and reduce dependency on any single market, Raghunathan said.
“Yet AIE, representing MSMEs, caution that while lower EU duties can boost volumes, the real test will be managing compliance costs, navigating non-tariff barriers and leveraging the EU opportunity to offset losses suffered in the US,” Raghunathan remarked.
. VJ SAS .