In early 2026, India made history by signing landmark free trade agreements (FTAs) with the European Union and the United States. These are termed the "mother of all trade deals" with the EU and the "father of all trade deals" with the US. This marks India's 10th FTA since 2014, showing a move away from past protectionism. India also agreed to start trade talks with the Gulf Cooperation Council, which covers 15% of its global trade. Despite the excitement, challenges remain. Experts warn these deals alone won’t boost exports fast enough without deeper reforms. Sumedha Dasgupta from the Economist Intelligence Unit highlighted, "India has historically exhibited a low utilisation rate of only about 25%, in contrast to 70%-80% among developed economies." Small exporters often find paperwork and rules too complex to benefit fully. Data shows India's exports to FTA partners grew 31% between 2017-2022, while imports jumped 82%. EY consultancy called this an "alarming failure" to leverage trade benefits. However, agreements since 2023 with countries like Australia and UAE show better export growth due to improved trade and dispute resolution processes. Kiran Kotla, CEO of Dista, pointed out problems like complex Rules of Origin, costly documentation, and customs confusion. Exporters may qualify for lower tariffs but still pay full duties because proving eligibility is slow and risky. The EU deal requires exporters to self-certify Rules of Origin, increasing their legal and financial risk, explained Ajay Srivastava of Global Trade and Research Initiative. "The India–EU FTA will pay off only if its Rules of Origin are properly understood and applied." Experts stress that competitiveness depends on efficient operations like fast logistics and clear customs rather than just treaty access. India lags behind Asian rivals such as Vietnam that offer speed, predictability, and strong supply chains. Priyanka Kishore of Asia Decoded noted India's manufacturing push is fragmented and cautious compared to large export-driven growth seen in Vietnam and Bangladesh. Vietnam's exports have nearly matched India’s despite a much smaller economy. Other Asian exporters like Malaysia and Indonesia have also outpaced India’s export growth. While India excels in hi-tech manufacturing, it struggles in labor-intensive sectors like textiles and footwear due to high costs and complex rules. Now that the FTAs are signed, India's focus must shift to smoothing out trade hurdles. Experts agree that improving logistics, customs, and regulations is key to attracting investment, creating jobs, and meeting the target of $1 trillion in annual exports.