Brussels, Belgium | September 2026
The Indian Economic Trade Organization (IETO) will lead a high-level delegation to the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium, as part of its regular quarterly engagements aimed at strengthening economic diplomacy, international trade cooperation and institutional dialogue between India, Europe and emerging global markets.
The forthcoming programme, titled “FORGING SOUTHEAST EUROPE’S FUTURES – Promoting Scholarly Cooperation Between Europe and Southeast Asia,” will bring together experts, policymakers, academics, diplomats, business leaders and civil-society representatives from Europe and Asia.
The conference is designed to promote dialogue and practical cooperation in education, research, trade, innovation and cultural exchange, while giving particular attention to the increasingly important relationship between Europe and Southeast Asia.
A central focus of the IETO delegation’s Brussels engagement will be the evolving India–European Union economic partnership and the India–EU Free Trade Agreement.
Negotiations on the landmark India–EU FTA were concluded on 27 January 2026, and on 11 September 2026 the European Commission submitted proposals to the Council of the European Union seeking authorisation for the agreement’s signature and conclusion. The discussions in Brussels will therefore examine the way forward toward signature, institutional approval and effective implementation of the agreement for businesses and consumers in both markets.
The agreement is expected to substantially deepen one of the world’s most important emerging trade relationships. According to the European Commission, EU–India trade in goods was worth approximately €118 billion in 2025, while the agreement provides for the elimination or reduction of tariffs on more than 96% of EU goods exports to India.
The Brussels conference will be hosted by Dr. Ondřej Dostál, Member of the European Parliament from Czechia, and will provide a platform for discussions on Europe–Asia relations, international trade policy, economic connectivity and scholarly cooperation. European Parliament records list Dr. Dostál as a Czech Member of the European Parliament.
Among the distinguished participants are Dr. Peter Fahrenholtz, former diplomat; Dr. Nuran Nabi, scientist, writer and veteran of the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War; Mr. AFM Golam Zilani, human-rights activist and Secretary General of Hand in Hand Foundation, Belgium; Mr. Satar Ali Suman, philanthropist and businessman; and Dr. Asif Iqbal, President of the Indian Economic Trade Organization.
India–EU FTA Can Become a New Economic Bridge
Commenting on the forthcoming engagement, Dr. Asif Iqbal, President of the Indian Economic Trade Organization, said:
«“The conclusion of the India–EU Free Trade Agreement negotiations is an important milestone, but the real economic opportunity will emerge from its implementation. Our discussions in Brussels will focus on how businesses, SMEs, investors and institutions on both sides can prepare themselves to benefit from the agreement. India and the European Union have the opportunity to create a powerful economic bridge connecting European technology, capital and innovation with India’s scale, skills, manufacturing capabilities and rapidly growing market.”»
Dr. Iqbal added that IETO’s regular engagements in Brussels are intended to complement government-to-government dialogue by creating stronger connections between businesses, academics, trade organisations, investors and policymakers.
Building a Broader Europe–Asia Knowledge Partnership
Prof. Dr. Ayanjit Sen, geopolitical and international-relations expert, international award-winning journalist and Professor at Bennett University, India, underlined the importance of combining economic engagement with stronger scholarly and institutional cooperation.
«“Europe and Asia are entering a period in which trade cannot be viewed separately from technology, education, geopolitics and knowledge exchange. Stronger institutional partnerships between European and Asian universities, researchers, businesses and policymakers can create a more resilient framework for cooperation. Forums such as this help convert dialogue into long-term networks of knowledge and economic collaboration.”»
The conference will also examine how Southeast Asian economies can play a greater role in the expanding economic architecture connecting India and Europe, particularly through supply chains, digital commerce, technology partnerships, sustainable development, logistics and investment.
Brussels Dialogue to Strengthen People-to-People Cooperation
Mr. AFM Golam Zilani, Secretary General of Hand in Hand Foundation, Belgium, said the gathering would also provide an opportunity to strengthen cooperation beyond conventional trade diplomacy.
«“Economic cooperation becomes sustainable when it is supported by meaningful engagement between people and institutions. Brussels provides an important international platform for bringing together policymakers, academics, entrepreneurs and civil-society leaders. We hope this conference will generate stronger partnerships between Europe, India and Southeast Asia in trade, education, human development and cultural understanding.”»
The IETO delegation’s visit forms part of the organisation’s continuing programme of quarterly international engagements with European institutions, designed to provide Indian businesses and partner organisations with greater exposure to European economic and policy developments.
The Brussels discussions are expected to cover India–EU market access, investment opportunities, regulatory cooperation, technology and innovation, resilient supply chains, sustainability, education and research partnerships, as well as Europe’s expanding economic engagement with Southeast Asia.
With the India–EU FTA now progressing through the formal European approval process, the IETO delegation believes that greater interaction between policymakers and the private sector will be particularly important in translating the agreement into tangible opportunities for companies, entrepreneurs and investors.
The conference in Brussels is expected to reinforce IETO’s broader objective of building practical economic bridges between India, the European Union and Southeast Asia, while encouraging scholarly cooperation and sustained institutional dialogue across the regions.
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