India–EU FTA Seen as Boost for MedTech Sector: AIMED
The proposed India–European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is being viewed by the domestic medical devices industry as a significant opportunity to strengthen global partnerships, enhance technology collaboration, and support India’s ambition of becoming a leading MedTech hub.
Industry body Association of Indian Medical Device Industry (AIMED) said the agreement could unlock high-value cooperation between India and the EU, provided it ensures fair competition and balanced regulatory alignment. Emphasising the need for safeguards, AIMED highlighted concerns around market distortions caused by low-priced imports routed through third countries.
Rajiv Nath, Forum Coordinator, AIMED, said the FTA must protect domestic manufacturers while promoting mutual growth. “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,” he said.
Nath added that regulatory cooperation through a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) based on common ISO standards would be critical. “The goal should be mutual growth anchored in quality, transparency, and patient safety under an MRA based on common ISO standards. We look forward to reviewing the fine print and the follow-on cooperation discussions,” he noted.
Dr Rajiv Chhibber, Joint Forum Coordinator, AIMED, said the FTA comes at a strategically important moment, as the European Union seeks to diversify partnerships beyond the United States and China while deepening economic and diplomatic engagement with India.
“The India–EU Free Trade Agreement comes at a strategically important time, as Europe looks to diversify partnerships beyond the US and China and deepen economic and diplomatic engagement with India,” Chhibber said. While the detailed provisions of the agreement are still awaited, he described it as an industry-friendly framework that could strengthen economic integration between the two regions.
Highlighting India’s growing role in the life sciences sector, Chhibber said, “In pharmaceuticals and medical devices, India has already established itself as a trusted partner for the EU with growing acceptance across European markets.”
For the MedTech industry, he added, the FTA presents an opportunity to deepen the EU–India strategic partnership through enhanced technology collaboration, improved health security, and closer cooperation on shared global health priorities.
Industry stakeholders are now awaiting the final text of the agreement and subsequent implementation discussions, which are expected to determine the extent of market access, regulatory convergence, and long-term benefits for India’s medical devices ecosystem.
