- The European Union is India's largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching $49 billion in 2005-2006. - To strengthen economic ties, India and the EU established a High Level Trade Group in 2005 to explore a bilateral trade agreement. - The HLTG recommended in 2006 eliminating duties on 90% of products within 7 years and substantially liberalizing trade in services and investment between the two partners. - Since 2007, India and the EU have been negotiating a broad-based bilateral trade and investment agreement, with working groups established to discuss issues like goods, services, investment, and non-tariff measures.