FTA

India's recent free trade agreements mark a shift from tariff-led negotiations to deeper economic partnerships, embedding investment commitments, market access and supply chain integration

'Sensitive' agri issues may be off the table

Customs regimes can lead to labyrinthine legal disputes. Budget 2026 must recognise that an excessively defensive Customs posture can itself become a trade barrier

The two sides need to move little beyond their defined negotiating stance on investment treaty, subjects like agriculture, digital trade, IPR and ensure conclusion of the much awaited trade agreement

Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal says binding FTA commitments on professional services can open global opportunities, as India focuses on skills, mobility and digital delivery

India and New Zealand have concluded a free trade agreement after nine months of negotiations. The deal offers zero-duty access for all Indian exports,opens new visa pathways for skilled professionals

Wellington commits to $20 bn FDI in 15 years; dairy items excluded

The deal includes sweeping tariff cuts, expanded services access, enhanced labour mobility and a long-term investment commitment

India and New Zealand have concluded a Free Trade Agreement after nine months of talks; the deal cuts tariffs, boosts trade, opens jobs and creates new visa routes for Indian professionals

The Eurasian Economic Union comprises five countries - the Russian Federation, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan

The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (Cepa) is the second FTA signed between India and a West Asian nation - the first being with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2022

India and Oman have signed a major free trade agreement that gives Indian exports near-total duty-free access to Oman. From goods and services to jobs and geopolitics

Having missed the 'fall' deadline, India is aiming to conclude the first tranche of the trade deal before the end of the calendar year

Commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal held discussions with EU commissioner for trade and economic security, during December 8-9 to provide strategic guidance to the FTA negotiating teams

Ahead of PM Narendra Modi's Jordan-Ethiopia-Oman tour, the government highlighted efforts to diversify exports and sustain manufacturing momentum, citing export and IIP growth trends

India is at present negotiating free trade agreements with a number of trading partners, including the US and European Union, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Friday. India is working with its 'trusted' trading partners through these agreements to boost economic ties, he said. "We have all seen trade being weaponised. We have all seen the importance of having trusted partners around the world," he said, adding that at this moment, India is in talks with individual countries and groups of nations totalling about 50. The remarks come at a time when a steep hike in tariffs by the US has disrupted global trade. The Donald Trump administration has imposed a 50 per cent import duty on Indian goods entering American markets since August 27. The minister informed that GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) too is interested in trade pact talks. GCC is a union of six countries in the Gulf region Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain. New Delhi has already implemen

India and Israel on Thursday inked terms of reference (ToR) to formally launch negotiations for a free trade agreement, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said. The ToR include market access for goods by eliminating tariff and non-tariff barriers, investment facilitation, simplification of customs procedures, increasing cooperation for innovation and technology transfer, and easing norms to promote trade in services. "We have signed the ToRs today. Now we will soon finalise the dates for starting the negotiations for that," Goyal told reporters here. Goyal is leading a 60-member business delegation to Israel. He will meet leaders and businesses to discuss ways to boost bilateral trade and investments. The TOR was signed by Goyal and Israeli Economy and Industry Minister Nir Barkat. Goyal said that the Israeli side has conveyed that they will not seek market access in sensitive areas such as dairy, rice, wheat and sugar. He also informed that Israel has come out with a ...

Piyush Goyal has launched a unified trade intelligence portal offering real-time analytics on FTA utilisation, global demand, supply chains and export opportunities

Today's Best of BS Opinion looks at Bihar's fiscal test after NDA win, pushback against QCOs, Trump's tariff stance and India's options, India Inc earnings vs GDP, and a biography of Francis Crick

Import of bulk Scotch will increase in India after signing of Free Trade Agreement with the UK, which will be used by IMFL makers and bottling in India, according to Scotch Whisky Association Chief Executive Mark Kent CMG. The FTA between India and the UK, which is awaiting ratification, will also see a variety of quality Scotch whisky coming into the country, especially from some of the smaller producers from Scotland, Mark Kent told PTI in an interview. "You will see more bulk whiskey coming into India as a result of the free trade agreement, both for bottling in India, and for incorporating into IMFL (India-Made Foreign Liquor)," he said. This is normal, because as the Indian market is growing year-on-year, the increasing demand will see greater quantities being imported, Mark Kent said. He is quite encouraged by the trend of premiumisation happening in India, the world's largest whisky market and is "optimistic" for the prospects of Scotch whisky here. India is the world's num