After a long hiatus, India has resumed its engagement with trade pacts. Question is: To what extent do these deals weigh on economic considerations? More importantly, how similar are they to strategic alliances?
This year, India concluded a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and a more limited Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement with Australia.
But that is not the end of its ambition yet.
A free trade agreement (FTA) is due to be signed with Israel in June. By the end of 2022-23, at least one more FTA will possibly be entered into with the UK.
“These are strategic