New Delhi, Jan. 27 -- India and the European Union (EU) on Tuesday announced the successful conclusion of negotiations for a historic free trade pact, opening up markets to each other in an uncertain global trade landscape.

Both countries, however, kept sensitive agricultural products out of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA), billed as the 'mother of all trade deals' for its scale, scope and strategic weight. India for example, has shielded dairy, cereals, poultry, soymeal, certain fruits and vegetables, while the EU has protected beef, sugar, rice, chicken meat, milk powder, honey, bananas and soft wheat, on which current tariffs will be maintained. India will, however, get better EU market access for its tea, coffee, spices and processed ...