Govt ropes in think tanks, IIM-B to assess economic impact of RCEP deal

Centre wants such independent assessment to be framework for all future FTA talks, similar to the BIT

Facing major opposition from India Inc and various central ministries on whether India should sign any further Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), the commerce ministry has roped in three independent bodies to assess the economic impact of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the mega trade deal on which talks have reached a crucial stage.

The report will be considered by the government to decide the future course of action on RCEP, senior commerce department officials said.

This includes Delhi-based economic think tank Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER), trade policy think tank Centre for Regional Trade (CRT)