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India, MERCOSUR Launch Talks to Expand Trade Pact
India and a group of South American countries called MERCOSUR want to make their trade agreement bigger.
They are discussing which new areas should be included.
The two sides also signed a document to make trade paperwork digital.
Electronic Certificates of Origin will now have the same legal value as paper certificates once the protocol takes effect.
This could make customs work faster and cheaper.
The protocol still needs to be approved through each side’s domestic procedures.
Argentina may consider a separate trade arrangement with India if the larger deal takes too long.
India and Argentina are also exploring cooperation in areas such as aviation, space technology, telecommunications and digital services.
India and MERCOSUR launched negotiations to expand their existing Preferential Trade Agreement.
The sides are finalising terms defining the scope and structure of the expanded agreement.
They signed a protocol giving electronic Certificates of Origin the same validity as paper documents.
The digital-trade measure is intended to reduce costs and processing times and modernise customs procedures.
India-MERCOSUR trade ties are expanding, with India-Argentina trade exceeding $6.5 billion in 2025.
- Who
- India and MERCOSUR, comprising Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Bolivia, with officials including Piyush Goyal, Mario Lubetkin and Rajesh Agrawal.
- What
- They launched negotiations to expand the India-MERCOSUR Preferential Trade Agreement and signed a protocol supporting electronic Certificates of Origin.
- Where
- Between India and the MERCOSUR member countries; the articles do not specify the location of the announcement or protocol signing.
- When
- The announcement date is not specified; the protocol proposal was adopted on 9 April 2026, following a committee meeting on 27 November 2025.
- Why
- To deepen economic relations, expand opportunities for businesses, modernise customs procedures and make preferential trade more efficient.
Key facts
- Existing agreement
- The India-MERCOSUR Preferential Trade Agreement was signed on 25 January 2004 and entered into force on 1 June 2009.
- Tariff coverage
- India provides preferential concessions on 450 tariff lines, while MERCOSUR provides concessions on 452 tariff lines.
- Digital protocol
- Electronic Certificates of Origin will have the same legal validity and value as paper certificates.
- Protocol status
- The protocol will enter into force after India and the MERCOSUR parties complete internal procedures and notify one another.
- India-Argentina trade
- Bilateral trade exceeded $6.5 billion in 2025, with annual growth above 17%.
- Potential cooperation
- Aviation, space technology, telecommunications, 5G, artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure were identified as emerging areas.
- Argentina alternative
- Government sources said Argentina was willing to pursue a separate trade arrangement with India if the broader MERCOSUR deal takes time.
Sources
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