New Delhi working on ways to reduce average applied tariff
It's been successful for both countries, not just for Australian exports to India but also for Indian exports to Australia, John Southwell said
The Survey provides an outlook and overview of evolving EU-India bilateral trade and investment ties as well as offers an insight into the opportunities and challenges faced by European businesses
Customs revenue set to face greater strain as country pursues more trade pacts
Indian industry always preferred to have deeper trade relations with traditional markets - EU and the US- as it offers industry greater complementarity
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen on Friday issued directions to conclude an ambitious free trade agreement by end of this year as the two leaders vowed to expand India-EU strategic partnership in areas of defence, security and critical technology. In his media statement after talks with Von der Leyen, Modi described India-EU strategic partnership as "natural and organic" and one that it is based on "trust" and shared belief in democratic values. We have directed our teams to conclude a mutually beneficial bilateral free trade pact by the end of this year, he said, in a hugely significant decision that came amid growing global concerns over the Trump administration's policy on trade and tariff. The prime minister said both sides are also looking at forward movement on negotiations for an investment protection pact as well as an agreement on Geographical Indications. On connectivity, Modi said concrete steps will be taken to take ...
Calls some of India's concerns on carbon tax 'illegitimate'
The UK on Wednesday said its Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds and Investment Minister Poppy Gustafsson announced 17 new export and investment deals during their visits to India this week. It also said that New Delhi's recent Union budget drives more opportunity for British insurance companies to expand their presence in India. British insurance companies in particular have gained more potential to expand in India following the recent Indian budget, which increased the amount of foreign direct investment (FDI) permitted in the insurance sector from 74 per cent to 100 per cent, a readout by the UK said. The UK has the third largest technology economy in the world, and a number of UK technology companies have also announced expansion into India, accelerating their growth journey, it noted. "The UK's Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds and Investment Minister Poppy Gustafsson have announced 17 new export and investment deals during visits to India this week," it said. However, details
The discussion on the FTA will signal the 'broader political commitment' from both leaders and set the stage for the 10 round of negotiation in Brussels during 10-14 March, after a six months hiatus
Alcoholic beverage industry body CIABC on Tuesday urged the government to consider reducing the import duty in a phased manner under the proposed free trade agreement between India and the UK. The Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies (CIABC) said that the government should ensure better market access for Indian products in the UK. On February 24, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds announced resumption of negotiations for the proposed agreement. "The government needs to safeguard the interests of Indian liquor manufacturers while deciding on issues related to customs duty cuts and other concessions under FTAs. "Though we have already recommended to the government to cut cuts basic customs duty on spirits over a period of 10 years, we also want the government to ensure better international market access and safeguard interests of Indian companies against any dumping of products through transfe
India had requested the UK to consider a social-security agreement two years ago, but talks were launched only on Monday
Piyush Goyal to meet UK, EU officials this week
India should tread cautiously on a potential free trade agreement (FTA) with Qatar, particularly in the petrochemical sector as both countries are strong in this segment, economic think tank GTRI said on Wednesday. The Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) added that India should ensure that tariff concessions on petrochemicals and energy-related imports do not undermine domestic industries. According to a joint statement issued after the meeting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, the two sides agreed to explore the possibility of entering into a bilateral comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) with an aim to double bilateral trade to USD 28 billion by 2030. Normally in a CEPA, a kind of free trade agreement (FTA), two trading partners either eliminate or significantly reduce customs duties on the maximum number of goods (90-95 per cent) traded between them. Besides, they ease norms to promote trade in services and boost
India and the European Union will hold the next round of talks on the proposed free trade agreement (FTA) from March 10 to 14, a senior government official said on Monday. Additional Secretary in the Department of Commerce L Satya Srinivas said that before the round the entire delegation of the European Commission will be in India from February 28. Days before the visit of the European Commission team, UK's Minister of State for Trade Policy Douglas Alexander will be in India for a meeting with Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on February 24. On February 25th, officials of India and UK will restart talks on the free trade agreement. "We have taken stock of where we left in the last round (14th) and will take it forward during the visit," Satya Srinivas said. India and the UK have held 14 rounds of negotiations on the FTA since its launch in January 2022.
With the world in rapid flux following the election of Donald Trump, India finds itself in uncharted waters, and needs to learn how to make deals that serve its interests to the fullest
Trade ministers of India and Oman on Monday reviewed progress of the proposed free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries and focused on advancing the negotiations for the pact. The agreement was discussed between Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Oman's Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousef in Muscat. "Our talks focused on advancing negotiations on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), strengthening trade and investment ties, and exploring avenues to further deepen our bilateral partnership," Goyal said on X. Goyal is in Muscat for the Joint Commission Meeting, which will be held on January 28. On January 14, India and Oman held the fifth round of talks for the agreement, aiming to boost bilateral economic ties. The negotiations for the agreement, officially dubbed CEPA, formally began in November 2023. In such agreements, two trading partners either significantly reduce or eliminate customs
The formal commencement of the India-Oman FTA negotiations began in November 2023. The negotiations on the text of most chapters were concluded by India and Oman by January 2024
A major hurdles in the way of talks has been EU's stance on sustainable development, since trade bloc is set to implement regulations such as CBAM, deforestation regulation law, and supply chain law
India and the UK are exploring convenient dates to resume the talks for the proposed free trade agreement in early February, according to the commerce ministry. The talks for the proposed FTA began in January 2022. The 14th round of talks stalled as the two nations stepped into their general election cycles. "Mutually convenient date is being explored for the next round of negotiations for early February," the ministry informed on Wednesday. The bilateral trade between India and the UK increased to USD 21.34 billion in 2023-24 from USD 20.36 billion in 2022-23. Regarding a similar agreement with the European Union (EU), the ministry said that the tenth round of talks is scheduled from March 10-14 in Brussels. The two sides are negotiating a free trade agreement, an investment protection agreement and an agreement on geographical indications (GIs). In the ninth round, both sides discussed trade issues covering goods, services, investment and government procurement along with neces
The UK government on Tuesday told Parliament that the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) talks with India have been relaunched to deliver a joint ambition of taking the bilateral relationship to even greater heights. During a debate on UK economic growth in the House of Commons, British Indian Labour MP Jeevun Sandher asked Foreign Secretary David Lammy about the steps being taken to get a good UK-India trade deal over the line. Describing 2025 as an exciting year for the UK's trading relationship with India, the co-chair of the India All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) flagged the exchange of green technologies to help prevent and reduce the warming of our planet among the areas of focus. We are two nations with an intertwined history and common democratic ideals and we face the risks of a dangerous world and a warming planet, said Sandher, a first-time member of Parliament from Loughborough, in the East Midlands region of England. In response, Lammy pointed to his India visit within wee