New Delhi, Feb. 28 -- India and the European Union (EU) have agreed to finalise a long-pending free trade agreement by the end of this year, marking the first time both sides have committed to a deadline for the negotiations, media reports said.

The decision comes as they seek to mitigate the impact of potential US tariff hikes.

Talks for the trade pact, which would require India to make significant concessions in its highly protected market, resumed in 2021 after an eight-year hiatus.

Von der Leyen emphasised the need for an "ambitious" trade and investment agreement covering industries such as batteries, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, clean hydrogen, and defence, the report said.

Her visit, accompanied by EU leaders, comes at a ti...