Under Australian Grape & Wine’s Long Term India Strategy, initiated in 2021, we have continued to drive action to improve market conditions for export of Australian wine to India. In 2026 these benefits are now beginning to be relaised.
During the week of 26 January 2026, representatives from Australian Grape & Wine, Wine Australia and the Australian Wine Research Institute joined Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) colleagues in New Delhi, India, for the third Australia–India Joint Dialogue on Wine, established under the Side Letter on Trade in Wine, incorporated into the Australia–India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA)
Technical and regulatory barriers remain a major challenge within India particularly in relation to divergent state regulation for wine. As such efforts to remove or reduce regulatory burden and cost are a major focus of the Joint Dialogue engagement. In January we were encouraged to see progress made by the Indian Government to progress work with states on regulatory harmonisation for wine. While still in their initial stages, these represent a positive step, initiated under the Joint Dialogue, to reduce the regulatory barriers in the market. During these meetings we also received further regulatory clarification on alcohol labelling requirements and discussed a number of regulatory and technical issues including trade sample importation procedures, duties and taxes, electronic certification, and the protection of geographical indications (GIs).
On 27 January 2026, the European Union and India announced conclusion of FTA negotiations. A number of media outlets and EU sources have reported tariff reductions for wine to:
These outcomes appear to be more favourable than those negotiated under Australia’s ECTA agreement with India. However, as ECTA affords Australian wine “Most Favoured Nation” (MFN) treatment (something Australian Grape & Wine fought hard to secure), if India grants improved tariff outcomes to another trading partner, Australia is entitled to equivalent treatment.
Separately, on 6 February 2026, the White House released a Joint Statement with India that they had reached an Interim Agreement on trade. The framework includes commitments by India to reduce or eliminate tariffs on selected U.S. agricultural products, including wine and spirits, although specific tariff outcomes and implementation timelines remain unclear
Greater investment in imported wines in India is expected to support growth of the overall wine category, where Australian wine currently holds the largest share of imports. We are therefore currently working with government and advocating for greater investment in marketing Australian wine in the Indian market through a number of mechanisms.
India remains a challenging market that requires a long-term investment and a lot of patience. However, steps continue to be taken to help realise its potential and these are beginning to materialise.
