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India-EU FTA to expand reach of traditional medicine services & practitioners
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Our Bureau, New Delhi
January 29 , 2026
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The India–European Union Free Trade Agreement (India–EU FTA), announced on January 27, is expected to expand the reach of India's traditional medicine services and practitioners, according to the ministry of commerce and industry.
In the EU Member States where regulations do not exist, Ayush practitioners will be able to provide their services using the professional qualifications they gain in India.
"The FTA also provides future certainty and locks in the openness of the EU for establishment of Ayush wellness centres and clinics in the EU Member States. The FTA also envisages greater exchange with the EU to facilitate trade in Indian Traditional Medicine services," said the Ministry.
The Ministry further elaborates that the FTA reinforces intellectual property protections provided under TRIPS relating to copyright, trademarks, designs, trade secrets, plant varieties, enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), affirms Doha Declaration and recognises the importance of digital libraries, specifically the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) project initiated by India.
The IPR chapter of the FTA provides for exchanging views and information on their respective laws and practices relating to the transfer of technology, including measures to facilitate information flows, business partnerships, etc.
The FTA introduces enhanced cooperation on SPS (Sanitary and Phytosanitary) and TBT (Technical Barriers to Trade) matters, which will facilitate recognition of conformity assessment results, enabling equivalence on SPS measures on technical justification and localised responses to pest/disease outbreaks.
Through digitisation, information sharing, and adherence to international standards, the agreement also reduces trade barriers, facilitates smoother market access, and strengthens regulatory predictability for exporters, it added.
According to a report of the Forum on Indian Traditional Medicine (FITM), under the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) in the year 2023 on Ayush Exports - Regulatory Opportunities and Challenges in Key Markets, EU is a significant importer, producer, exporter and consumer of herbs, extracts and traditional medicines.
"In 2021, the European market value of herbal medicine as per Fortune Business Insights (2022) was $69.20 billion, although the product segmentation could be in favour of natural ingredients for health and beauty products. Growing demography of the aging population, increasing consumer demand for natural supplements makes Europe a promising market for natural ingredients in health products," said the report.
Exports, according to this report, was more skewed towards Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs), followed by extracts and medicants and medicaments. Germany, Italy, France and the Netherlands are major markets across categories. Total exports of Ayush products to the EU have grown at 8.36 per cent during 2017-21, it added.
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