Bound commitments on services to be India's main focus on RCEP talks now

New Delhi will have to negotiate on the tricky services trade issue as pressure from manufacturing behemoth China and the Asean grouping mounts on a speedy deal

India will be setting its eyes on securing binding commitments from member nations on services trade as negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) pact reach a crucial stage in 2019.

India will also be assessing areas where the most progress can be made in 2019. Earlier this month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined leaders from nations in Singapore to pitch for an early conclusion of the pact by the end of next year. 

“Of the 161 sub-sectors under the services trade discussions, it’s our aim to secure binding commitments on at least 50-60 sectors on a