India, Jan. 29 -- Smiles have returned to Kashmiri handicrafts artisans and exporters after tariffs on labour-intensive sectors were brought down to zero under the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

According to the Union Commerce Ministry, the India-EU FTA gives a decisive boost to its labour-intensive sectors such as textiles, apparel, leather, footwear, marine products, gems and jewellery, handicrafts, engineering goods, and automobiles, bringing down tariffs up to 10% on almost USD 33 billion of exports to zero.

Beyond enhancing competitiveness, it empowers workers, artisans, women, youth, and MSMEs, while integrating Indian businesses more deeply into global value chains and reinforcing India's role as a key player an...