Majority of issues in India-UK FTA towards resolution, says commerce ministry
Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal leads progressing India-UK FTA negotiations, aiming to enhance economic ties. Talks cover 26 chapters, including intellectual property rights, with bilateral trade data showing an increase to USD 20.36 billion. Key Points
Economic TimesIndia negotiating trade pact with EU, UK, Sri Lanka, Peru
India-Sri Lanka Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ECTA) negotiations are ongoing with the 12th round of negotiations conducted from 30th October to 1st November 2023 in Colombo, it said. It added that both sides also agreed to continue discussions on matters, including apparel quotas and pharmaceutical procurement. Key Points
Economic TimesClosed 20 of 26 chapters of Free Trade Agreement with UK, says Union Minister Piyush Goyal
Piyush Goyal stated, We've had several rounds of negotiations with the UK. Currently, we are in active dialogue on different tracks. The Free Trade Agreement has closed almost 20 chapters out of 26. Amongst the few issues pending, there's nothing impossible to navigate. Free Trade Agreements are crystal gazing into the future . Key Points
Economic TimesNext round of negotiations for UK-India trade pact scheduled in January
New Delhi [India], December 18 (ANI): The thirteenth round of negotiations for the UK-India Free Trade Agreement concluded last week, with both sides resolved that they would continue to negotiate towards a comprehensive and ambitious trade pact. The next round of negotiations, the fourteenth, will take place in January 2024. Show Full Article The latest […] Key Points
ThePrintIndia, UK next round of talks for free trade agreement from Wed
India and the UK launched the talks for an FTA in January 2022 with a view to boost economic ties between the two nations. There are 26 chapters in the agreement, which include goods, services, investments and intellectual property rights. Key Points
Economic Times
Round 14 of India-UK FTA talks to take place in January 2024
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry announced that the fourteenth round of Free Trade Agreement negotiations between India and the UK will take place in January 2024. The negotiations, which focused on complex issues like goods, services, and investment, will continue. Key Points
Economic Times‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham’: UK Opposition Leader Keir Starmer on FTA with India
India and UK are currently in the 14th round of FTA negotiations to enhance GBP 36-billion bilateral trading partnership. The UK's Opposition Leader Keir Starmer has described the ups and downs of the government's negotiations towards a free trade agreement (FTA) with India as ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham’ and committed the Labour Party to pursuing an “always happy” bilateral relationship. Key Points
The Tribune IndiaNext round of talks for India-UK trade agreement to be held in June
The effort is to expedite the negotiations...(There was a) Diwali deadline (to conclude the talks last year) was given, but for variety of reasons, it was extended. But the effort on both sides is to conclude it at the earliest, he told reporters here. The tenth round of negotiation is from June 5-9 here and hopefully we will make some substantial progress during that time, he added. Key Points
Economic TimesIndian official delegation heads for London for FTA talks
Negotiations for the India-UK free trade agreement are in the final stage. A high-level Indian delegation is heading to London to resolve remaining issues on goods, services, and rules of origin. The negotiations cover 26 chapters, including market access, skilled professionals, and import duties. The bilateral trade between India and the UK increased to USD 20.36 billion in 2022-23. Key Points
Economic TimesIndia, UK officials to start 13th round of FTA talks from Sep 4
The bilateral trade between countries increased to USD 20.36 billion in 2022-23 from USD 17.5 billion in 2021-22. Key Points
Economic Times
India, UK to continue FTA negotiations till Aug-end
Indian and UK officials will continue their negotiations till the month-end to iron out differences on the proposed free trade agreement (FTA), the commerce ministry said on Sunday. This meeting will be followed by a review at the higher level, it said. Key Points
Economic TimesFTA with EU will be the hardest nut to crack: Former Commerce Secretary Rajeev Kher
Former Commerce Secretary Rajeev Kher in an interview with ET said FTA negotiations prioritize preferential agreements over multilateralism due to the lack of commonality in issues among countries and the evolving role of non-trade issues. Kher added that friendshoring has emerged as a response to supply chain uncertainties caused by geopolitical tensions. Key Points
Economic TimesUK PM Rishi Sunak likely to visit India as and when FTA is ready to be announced
There are reports that the deal could be sealed in December after the state assembly elections. The two sides have differences whether taxation will be included in a proposed investment protection pact, as well as the UKs demand that tariffs be cut on electric vehicle exports to India. Key Points
Economic TimesIndia, Sri Lanka relaunch talks on economic, technology cooperation
India and Sri Lanka have resumed negotiations for the Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ECTA) after a five-year hiatus. The 12th round of talks took place in Sri Lanka from October 30 to November 1, following 11 rounds held between 2016 and 2018. During this latest round, both sides reviewed progress and resolved nine issues. Key Points
Economic TimesIndia very close to a final call on FTA with UK: FM Sitharaman
An FTA agreement is very close for a final call with the UK and I think negotiations with Canada are also progressing and I expect that to come to a conclusion sooner than later, Sitharaman said. She further said the finance ministry and commerce ministry are working closely on trade agreements with different countries. Key Points
Economic Times
UK seeks national treatment in services under FTA with India
India’s services exports to the UK in 2022 stood at $12.7 billion while imports were $8.59 billion. Key Points
FinancialexpressPLA deployment not increasing day by day: Gen Anil Chauhan
They haven't gone back. So, there is a challenge actually, he added. The armed forces are taking all kinds of steps so that there is no untoward situation...We have been able to get back to all places except two: Demchok and Depsang. negotiations are on, he said. Hopefully that will come about, we are hopeful of that, he added. Key Points
Economic TimesPiyush Goyal to take up trade deal with Canada during visit
The dialogue will focus on various themes including strengthening the bilateral trade relationship between India and Canada, investment promotion and cooperation, green transition, including critical minerals discussion and new areas of cooperation such as promoting B2B engagements, the commerce and industry ministry said, adding that at the last MDTI meeting in March 2022, both the ministers had launched the CEPA negotiations with a possibility to have an interim agreement or Early Progress Trade Agreement. Since then, seven rounds of negotiations have been held. Key Points
Economic TimesTalks on India-Peru trade pact from Oct 10: Government
India and Peru will begin the next round of negotiations for a trade agreement on October 10. The agreement aims to promote bilateral trade and investments by reducing or eliminating customs duties on goods traded between the two countries. Discussions will cover various issues including rules of origin, trade in goods, customs procedures, and trade facilitation. Talks on services, movement of professionals, trade remedies, and investment will be held later. The agreement is expected to boost trade and cooperation in various sectors. Key Points
Economic TimesExplainer: Why the US is negotiating the price of 10 drugs
The U.S. government on Tuesday released a list of 10 prescription medicines that will be subject to the first-ever price negotiations by the Medicare health program that covers Americans aged 65 and over. Key Points
Reuters
WTO MC13 talks may get delayed one more day amid logjam on key issues
Negotiations at the World Trade Organization's (WTO) 13th ministerial conference are expected to be delayed by one more day as key issues, including farm and fish subsidies, remain unresolved. India, the US, and the EU are holding talks to address differences on agriculture, fisheries subsidies, WTO reforms, and e-commerce trade duty moratorium. South Africa withdrew its opposition to the China-led proposed Investment Facilitation Agreement. Key Points
Economic TimesCricket diplomacy: UK PM Rishi Sunak may visit India for FTA talks, watch India-England match in Lucknow
India and the UK are hopeful for progress in the India-UK free trade agreement as UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak considers a visit to India. The visit aims to have detailed discussions on the FTA and other bilateral matters. Although the agreement may not be finalized before the visit, it is expected to expedite the negotiations. Both countries are eager to reach a deal before their respective elections next year. Key Points
Economic TimesIndia, UK close to concluding FTA talks, working to iron out issues on IPRs, rules of origin
India and the UK are close to wrapping up negotiations on a proposed free trade agreement (FTA), with the remaining issues largely relating to intellectual property rights, rules of origin and investment treaty, according to a senior government official. The UK will be the first developed country with which India has such a comprehensive FTA. Key Points
Economic TimesIndia, UK trade ministers discuss FTA’s thorny issues resolution, low hanging fruits
India and the UK have focused on resolving challenges during low-hanging fruits negotiations that included closing several chapters, the Indian government has revealed. Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal and the UK's Secretary of State for Trade Kemi Badenoch discussed opportunities for mutual trade advancement and collaboration. Key Points
Economic TimesHow the World Health Organization could fight future pandemics
Negotiations on new rules for dealing with pandemics are underway at the World Health Organization (WHO), with a target date of May 2024 for a legally binding agreement to be adopted by the U.N. health agency's 194 member countries. Key Points
Reuters
Round 9 of India-UK FTA talks concludes with 'detailed' policy discussions
The ninth round of negotiations for the India-UK free trade agreement (FTA) ended with comprehensive discussions, according to a joint statement released by the UK's Department for Business and Trade. Non-committal on when and how the 10th round of talks will take place, the FTA aims to significantly enhance the bilateral trading relationship, which amounted to about £34bn ($46.7bn) in 2022. Key Points
Economic TimesWill have great FTA with India, negotiations going well: UK MP Baroness Verma
Baroness Verma told ANI, I think first of all my expectations are we're going to have a great FTA and I think it's a very complicated, complex agreement. And we can't expect things that are so complicated and so complex to be done overnight. But I know from all the conversations we've had, that everybody is working incredibly hard on all of the negotiations, and it's going well. Key Points
Economic TimesIndia does not rush into trade agreements if it is not fair, balanced, equitable: Goyal
India's Commerce and Industry Minister, Piyush Goyal, emphasizes that India does not rush into Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) unless they are equitable, balanced, and fair for the country. He highlights the changed ground realities in India and stresses the importance of thorough negotiations. Current FTA negotiations include the UK, Oman, and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). Key Points
Economic TimesIndia, EU set for 7th round of free-trade talks next month
India and the European Union will hold the seventh round of negotiations for a free trade pact in mid-February, covering services and investments. Progress has been made in 18 out of 23 policy areas, and the two sides have resolved differences to prepare for the next round of talks. The EU wants India to remove trade barriers for smaller firms and open up services and public procurement markets. However, India will protect sensitive sectors such as MSMEs, agriculture, and dairy. The comprehensive deal with the EU will take more time compared to recent trade pacts with Australia and the UAE. | Latest News India Key Points
Hindustan TimesPakistan: PML-N, PPP strike deal on coalition government
The agreement between Bhutto Zardari's Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) of three-time Premier Nawaz Sharif ends days of uncertainty and negotiations after the Feb. 8 elections produced a hung national assembly. Key Points
Economic Times
Progress of India-UK trade pact talks reviewed at highest level
The India-UK free trade agreement negotiations are at a crucial stage, with the Prime Minister's Office reviewing progress on February 16. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal attended the meeting. Both countries are working to resolve remaining issues. The pact covers 26 chapters, including goods, services, investments, and intellectual property rights. Key Points
Economic TimesIndia, UK 14th round of FTA talks in January
Indias main exports to the UK are ready-made garments and textiles, gems and jewellery, engineering goods, petroleum and petrochemical products, while key imports include precious and semi-precious stones, ores and metal scraps, and engineering goods. Discussions are also going on between the countries on the bilateral investment treaty. Investment is being negotiated as a separate agreement and earlier, the plan was to conclude the two simultaneously. Key Points
Economic TimesTwo more rounds of talks likely for IPEF to conclude: Sources
While the legal scrubbing of the Supply Chain Agreement - which was finalised in May - is on, discussions are moving fast on the clean economy and fair economy pillars, said people aware of the matter. The fourth round of IPEF negotiations took place from July 9-15 in South Korea. India is yet to take a call on joining the trade pillar of the IPEF. Key Points
Economic TimesIndia looks to build consensus at WTO to block non-trade issues
India is pushing for forging consensus with like-minded countries at the World Trade Organization in order to prevent entry of non-trade issues such as environment and sustainability into the trade negotiations. Brazil, China, Thailand and South Africa are some of the countries which could get affected and India will try to build a consensus with them. The move by advanced economies to impose green taxes has already made the developing and emerging economies wary of such moves. Key Points
Economic TimesUPS drivers strike from midnight of July 31? Far-reaching implications for U.S economy; all you need to kn
Contract negotiations between UPS and the Teamsters union have reached a deadlock, with both sides blaming each other. A strike authorization has been granted, potentially impacting UPS's operations and the US economy. The parties have struggled to reach an agreement on key issues, including the economic package. Key Points
Economic Times
PMO reviewed UK free trade agreement last week
India is headed for general elections in April-May while polls in the UK are to take place by January next year. While most of the 26 chapters of the pact, dealing with the opening up of varied sectors, are either closed or at an advanced stage of negotiations, some issues related to rules of origin and market access remain unresolved. Key Points
Economic TimesRound 14 of India-UK FTA talks closes ahead of election schedule
The fourteenth round of free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations between India and the UK has concluded, with the next round expected to commence after the Indian general elections. The negotiations, which began in January 2022, aim to enhance bilateral trade, currently valued at around GBP 38.1 billion annually. Both sides remain committed to reaching an ambitious deal but acknowledge the need for further discussions to finalize terms across goods, services, and investment. The UK seeks reduced tariffs on exports to India, while India is concerned about the fairness of rules for Indian workers in the UK. Key Points
Economic TimesPaytm denies speculations on Jio Financial's acquisition of Paytm Wallet
Paytm, in an official release, stated that the news item suggesting such an acquisition is speculative, baseless, and factually incorrect. The clarification from Paytm extends to its associate company, Paytm Payments Bank Limited, as well. According to the release, the payments bank has also not engaged in any negotiations related to the speculated acquisition by Mukesh Ambani. Key Points
Economic TimesHamas to send delegation to Egypt for Gaza ceasefire talks
Hamas said on Thursday that it was sending a delegation to Egypt for further cease-fire talks, in a new sign of progress in attempts by... Key Points
The Tribune India'US, not India, creating hurdles by blocking judges' appointment': Experts
The US blocks WTO appointments, hindering negotiations and voice of Least Developed Countries. India's Joint Statement Initiative on Services Domestic Regulations benefits developing countries. Key Points
Economic Times
Where's India? Key holdout country's minister absent from WTO meeting
India's Commerce Minister, Piyush Goyal, was absent at the start of a major World Trade Organization (WTO) meeting in Abu Dhabi, causing concerns about the impact on discussions. Goyal is a key player in the trade negotiations focusing on fisheries and digital trade tariffs. However, WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala stated that Goyal's participation delay was due to mistiming, and he would join the conference later. Key Points
Economic TimesTrade talks with EFTA conclude after 17 years, agreement to be signed ‘in next 10 days’
India and 4 member countries of European Free Trade Association have held 13 rounds of negotiations between 2008 & 2013. negotiations were placed on hold before resuming in October 2016. Key Points
ThePrintIndia-EU have political will to conclude FTA: Secretary General
India and the European Union are making progress in the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations, with a focus on investment protection and geographical indications. The complex FTA is unlikely to be concluded before the general elections in India and the European Parliament polls. The defence sector cooperation, including cyber security, is also being discussed. Key Points
Economic TimesDeadline ends. Sony unlikely to stretch talks on $10 bn merger deal with Zee
The deadline for the deal, first announced in December 2021, has lapsed. Zee had sought an extension of the "good faith" negotiations last week. Key Points
Business TodayDeadline over; Sony not keen to extend good faith negotiations with Zee, $10 billion merger likely termina
A formal communication calling off the mega amalgamation, first announced in December 2021, is expected to be sent to the Tokyo exchanges in the next 48 hours. Failure to comply with pre-agreed conditions and failing financial health of Zee were likely key triggers for the termination. Key Points
Economic Times
Majority of India-UK FTA issues either closed or at advanced stage of talks: Official
Majority of the issues in the proposed FTA between India and the UK are either finalised or at an advanced stage of talks, according to a government official. The 14th round of negotiations is currently underway. Talks are also progressing on the proposed BIT. Meanwhile, the seventh round of talks for the proposed trade deal between India and the EU and the sixth round of negotiations for a proposed trade agreement between India and Peru are scheduled. Key Points
Economic TimesHostages' families want Israel to stop war or ‘we'll only receive dead bodies’
Israel-Hamas War: Noam Perry, daughter of hostage Haim Perry, said, “We only receive dead bodies. We want you to stop the fight and start negotiations.” | World News Key Points
Hindustan TimesTalks between studios, striking US actors to restart Tuesday
Negotiations between media companies and the union representing striking U.S. actors will restart on Tuesday, the two sides said in a joint statement Key Points
Times Of IndiaThis Treaty Could Stop Plastic Pollution—or Doom the Earth to Drown in It
The UN has released a draft of what might become a landmark agreement to protect human health and the environment. Emphasis on might. Key Points
WIREDTrend line on India-UK FTA very positive, says High Commissioner Doraiswami
Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, has expressed optimism ahead of the 12th round of India-UK free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations in New Delhi. Officials on both sides are positive and keen to make necessary adjustments to reach a mutually beneficial pact. The bilateral trade partnership was worth around GBP 36 billion in 2022 and an FTA is set to significantly enhance the relationship. Out of the total 26 chapters in the proposed FTA, 19 have been closed, and investment is being negotiated as a separate bilateral investment treaty between India and the UK. Key Points
Economic Times
India and Peru to resume FTA talks
Commerce secretary Sunil Barthwal Friday said India and Peru have decided to resume negotiations for a proposed free trade agreement (FTA). We have decided to proceed with the FTA negotiations. We would be working out the priority areas... Post September, we will start engaging, he said on the sidelines of India-Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) conclave organised by Confederation of Indian Industry. Key Points
Economic Times