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New Delhi: PM Narendra Modi on Wednesday described the “historic” FTA between India and EU as a “global gamechanger” that would open countless opportunities for lakhs of Indian youths.Addressing a gathering at the annual National Cadet Corps PM Rally at Delhi Cantt, the PM said the entire world is looking at India’s youth with a “lot of trust” and the reason behind that trust is “skill and ‘sanskar’ (culture)”. He underlined that the agreement with 27 countries will benefit Indian startups by easing access to funding and innovation ecosystems, while also boosting India’s creative economy in films, gaming, fashion, digital content, music and design. He stated that the deal will create new opportunities for Indian youth in research, education, IT and professional services.Modi stressed that the deal would accelerate the Atmanirbhar Bharat campaign and strengthen the resolve of “Make in India, Make for the World”. He explained that under the agreement, tariffs on more than 99% of India’s exports will be either zero or very low, benefiting industries such as textiles, leather, gems and jewellery, footwear, engineering goods and MSMEs.The deal will also bring more investment into India, leading to new engineering, electronics, chemical, pharma and other manufacturing plants, while creating assured markets for agricultural and food processing products and fisheries, which will offer huge opportunities to farmers, fishermen and rural youth. He said the FTA would directly connect India’s youth to Europe’s job market, opening new avenues for them across 27 countries.
