ThePrint ThePrintPod: India’s ‘mother of all deals’ with Europe comes with a troublesome cousin—Turkey
Jan 31, 2026
A deep look at how India’s landmark trade deal with the EU could be complicated by Turkey’s role in the EU customs union. Clear breakdowns of what the EU customs union is and why Turkey’s ambiguous ties to Europe matter. Discussion of possible expansions of the EU-Turkey pact and how India-Turkey trade dynamics and pragmatic engagement strategies might shape outcomes.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Scale And Ambition Of The FTA
- The India-EU FTA is unprecedented and removes or reduces tariffs on most goods between the partners.
- It aims to double EU exports to India by 2032 and liberalises tariffs on almost all Indian goods over seven years.
How The EU Customs Union Works
- The EU customs union eliminates internal duties and sets a common external tariff for members.
- It supports integration, consumer protection and strengthens the EU's global trade position.
Turkey's Asymmetric Integration
- Turkey joined the customs union in 1996 and must adopt the EU's external tariff without EU decision-making power.
- This creates structural imbalances as Turkey aligns policies but lacks a seat at the table.