Building bridges between two markets: Sonia Prashar on the EU-India Agreement

The conclusion of the EU-India Free Trade Agreement was also a great moment for a woman who works tirelessly to bring India and Germany together: Sonia Prashar, Secretary General of the Federation of European Business in India (FEBI), CEO of NürnbergMesse India, and recipient of the Federal Cross of Merit two years ago for her services to German-Indian relations.

Written by Reinhold Gebhart

A large group of individuals stand arranged in several rows on a stage in front of a bright event backdrop displaying the text “EU India Business Forum,” the date “27th January 2026,” and the venue “Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.” The individuals are dressed in formal attire and pose for a group photo.

Sonia Prashar has been committed to international trade relations for three decades and, as managing director since 2013, has made NürnbergMesse India a major player among exhibition organizations on the subcontinent. The agreement with the EU represents a preliminary highlight for her. She was closely involved in the economic exchange – as one of many players who have helped shape this process over the years. In the interview, she emphasizes its significance.

Ms. Prashar, you expressed your delight at the conclusion of the free trade agreement between the EU and India, calling it a “long-awaited day.” Congratulations! How do you feel about it now, with a little distance?

The sense of fulfillment and optimism remain strong. After almost two decades of negotiations, the conclusion of the EU-India Free Trade Agreement marks a truly historic milestone in our bilateral relations. It sends a strong signal of strategic alignment and mutual trust in a rapidly changing global environment.

However, the conversation has now naturally shifted from celebration to implementation. Companies are asking practical questions: When will the agreement come into force, how will tariffs be phased in, and what should companies prepare for first? The true value of the free trade agreement lies not only in the conclusion of the negotiations, but also in how effectively it is implemented in terms of operational clarity and predictability on the ground.

In today's uncertain world, a rules-based and legally enshrined framework for trade and investment is in itself a strategic advantage. The free trade agreement offers this security, and that is of enormous value.

Sonia Prashar connects European and Indian economic areas, thereby significantly influencing the development of NürnbergMesse India.

You also say that the agreement opens up long-term opportunities and possibilities for anyone who is willing to truly understand India. What do Europeans need to know about India?

To understand India, you need a long-term perspective. India is not always a market for short-term transactions, but rather a market in which you can invest and grow.
European companies that are successful in India are those that appreciate its size, diversity, and dynamism. India combines political stability, a highly skilled and young workforce, competitive production capacities, and rapidly improving infrastructure. At the same time, regulatory processes, differences at the state level, and compliance frameworks require patience and preparation.

One of the most important insights of our economy is that regulatory predictability is even more important than tariff reductions. Companies want clarity on approvals, customs procedures, harmonization of standards, and compliance procedures. The free trade agreement helps to institutionalize dialogue and cooperation in precisely these areas, which will create far greater added value over time than tariffs alone.

To truly understand India, one must recognize both its opportunities and its complexities and approach the country with commitment, adaptability, and partnership. Those who do so will find that the opportunities are significant and long-term.

You have been and continue to be an important voice in the dialogue between India and Europe. How has this dialogue evolved?

The dialogue between the EU and India has evolved over the last decade. What originally began primarily as a trade-oriented engagement has evolved into a more comprehensive strategic partnership based on shared interests and growing mutual trust.

Today, the dialogue goes far beyond market access and encompasses issues such as supply chain resilience, clean energy cooperation, sustainability, digital transformation, and long-term competitiveness.

Relations have also become more structured and institutionalized. The partnership is now underpinned by a stronger institutional framework. Through integrated provisions on regulatory cooperation and transparency, the free trade agreement ensures continuous, structured, and predictable dialogue.

From an economic perspective, there is a clear shift towards medium- and long-term planning. European companies increasingly see India as a strategic anchor in their diversification efforts. The partnership is no longer viewed as purely transactional, but as part of a sustainable rapprochement between two large democratic economies, which makes this moment particularly significant.

A man and a woman stand next to each other in an interior room with open wooden doors in the background. Both individuals are holding a dark folder with a golden emblem. The woman is wearing traditional clothing and a medal on her chest, while the man is wearing a black suit with a white shirt and red tie. Both are standing slightly turned toward each other and presenting the folder. — Her work continues to shape the long term partnership between India and Europe.

Author

Reinhold Gebhart

Online-Redaktion // Editor for Vincentz Network