Cabinet may consider EFTA, deal likely to be announced Sunday
9 months, 2 weeks ago

Cabinet may consider EFTA, deal likely to be announced Sunday

Live Mint  

New Delhi: The Union cabinet is expected to take up the draft agreement with the European Free Trade Association today, paving the way for a potential announcement on Sunday, two persons aware of the development said. This deal could be the first formally signed free trade agreement among India's ongoing trade negotiations. Mint reported that the four nations making up the European Free Trade Association have offered duty-free market access for India’s animal products, fish, processed food and vegetable oils in a trade pact that is expected to be signed next week. The deal will also allow India’s services sector to increase its share of exports to Switzerland and Norway, which constitute a substantial share of exports to EFTA nations, the second person said. “India is expected to get benefits of the deal in the emerging areas like government procurement and digital trade,” said Ajay Sahai, director general, the Federation of Indian Export Organisations.

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History of this topic

India seeks to accelerate TEPA implementation during commerce secretary’s visit to Norway
1 month ago

India seeks to accelerate TEPA implementation during commerce secretary’s visit to Norway

Live Mint  

India has intensified efforts to implement the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Free Trade Association, with commerce secretary Sunil Barthwal embarking on a four-day trip to Norway on 22 November. The visit underscores India's push for broader global trade engagement, as TEPA offers unprecedented opportunities for Indian exports, services, and investments. The agreement, signed in March 2024 …

India-UK trade talks to focus on key tariff barriers and emerging sectors
1 month ago

India-UK trade talks to focus on key tariff barriers and emerging sectors

Live Mint  

The India-UK free trade agreement talks that are set to resume in early 2025 will focus on a range of critical areas including market access, regulatory frameworks, and tariff barriers. A successful FTA would facilitate increased trade across sectors like technology, agriculture, and manufacturing, while also deepening diplomatic ties, said Abhash Kumar, assistant professor of economics at Delhi University. India …

India Clarifies FTA Progress, Talks With EU and UK on Track
1 month ago

India Clarifies FTA Progress, Talks With EU and UK on Track

Deccan Chronicle  

New Delhi: Negotiations for all the proposed free trade agreements or FTA, including those with the UK and European Union, are progressing as per the schedule. In the coming weeks, a bilateral meeting is scheduled between the commerce secretary and the Director-General of the European Union to take stock of the negotiations for the proposed trade agreement with the European …

India stresses need to address trade imbalance with Russia
Trending News
1 month, 1 week ago

India stresses need to address trade imbalance with Russia

Hindustan Times  

New Delhi The imbalance in India-Russia trade needs to be addressed urgently, including steps to remove non-tariff barriers and regulatory impediments and facilitate the settlement of trade in national currencies, external affairs minister S Jaishankar said on Monday. Jaishankar’s remarks, made while addressing the India-Russia Business Forum in Mumbai alongside Russia’s first deputy prime minister Denis Manturov, came against the …

India, U.K. to hold next round of talks on proposed trade agreement in July
5 months, 2 weeks ago

India, U.K. to hold next round of talks on proposed trade agreement in July

The Hindu  

With the new government taking charge in Britain, senior officials of India and the U.K. will hold the next round of talks this month for the proposed free trade agreement to resolve the pending issues and close the negotiations, an official said. The Indian industry is demanding greater access for its skilled professionals from sectors like IT and healthcare in …

India, UK to resume negotiations on free trade agreement in next few weeks: Official
5 months, 2 weeks ago

India, UK to resume negotiations on free trade agreement in next few weeks: Official

India TV News  

New Delhi: With the new government taking charge in Britain, senior officials of India and the UK will hold the next round of talks this month for the proposed free trade agreement to resolve the pending issues and close the negotiations, an official told news agency PTI. The Indian industry is demanding greater access for its skilled professionals from sectors …

India Looking To Sign FTA With Oman As PM Modi Begins Third Term In Office: Report
6 months, 1 week ago

India Looking To Sign FTA With Oman As PM Modi Begins Third Term In Office: Report

ABP News  

India is reportedly planning to sign a free trade agreement with Oman within the first 100 days of PM Narendra Modi’s third term in office. Media reports said that India and the Sultanate of Oman almost reached a conclusion on negotiations during the Indian PM’s second tenure, however, the deal couldn’t be inked owing to the model code of conduct …

The India-EFTA pact’s highlight is its investment aspect
8 months, 2 weeks ago

The India-EFTA pact’s highlight is its investment aspect

Live Mint  

In many ways, the recently concluded agreement between India and the European Free Trade Association is mainly a confidence building measure for India in the run-up to trade agreements likely to be pursued after general elections with the EU and UK. In most cases, the I-EFTA pact will have limited impact—India’s principal import from the four-nation group, gold, is not …

Do India’s Free Trade Agreements with European nations benefit the country? | In Focus podcast
8 months, 3 weeks ago

Do India’s Free Trade Agreements with European nations benefit the country? | In Focus podcast

The Hindu  

On March 10th, India signed a free trade agreement with a group of four European nations, committing to reduce tariffs. The balance of trade heavily favours the EFTA, with India importing about $22 billion in 2023 from the bloc, while India exported only about $3 billion to the bloc. But such free trade deals have not largely helped India’s export …

Reading the fine print of India-EFTA trade deal
8 months, 3 weeks ago

Reading the fine print of India-EFTA trade deal

Hindustan Times  

It took 16 years of negotiations for India and the European Free Trade Association — comprising Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein — to clinch a free trade agreement. Furthermore, EFTA countries, through their FDI, shall generate one million direct jobs in India within 15 years of the FTA coming into force. The EFTA countries are only under a legal obligation …

Worries about the EFTA’s $100 bn investment commitment are misplaced. Here’s why
8 months, 4 weeks ago

Worries about the EFTA’s $100 bn investment commitment are misplaced. Here’s why

Live Mint  

The signing of the European Free Trade Agreement is the culmination of long, complex negotiations that began in January 2008 and a historic achievement for the governments of India, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. The FTA also includes a clause that allows India to withdraw tariff concessions if the $100-billion investment doesn’t materialise. Linking trade preferences and tariff concessions to …

Will EFTA show the way for other FTAs?
9 months ago

Will EFTA show the way for other FTAs?

Hindustan Times  

Earlier this month, India and the European Free Trade Association — comprising Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein — inked a new-generation trade agreement, the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement. At first look, India’s agreement with the EFTA does not seem attractive given the low levels of trade and investment between the two. With India’s fast-growing export sectors, namely, electronic goods …

The View from India | Tricks of trade diplomacy
9 months ago

The View from India | Tricks of trade diplomacy

The Hindu  

When India signed the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement with a bloc of four European countries — Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland — last week, the growing role of trade in diplomacy came under sharp focus. The pact comes on the heels of a host of bilateral agreements with the United Arab Emirates, spanning both trade and investment, following the …

Watch | Trade diplomacy | What’s the status of India’s Free Trade Agreements?
9 months, 1 week ago

Watch | Trade diplomacy | What’s the status of India’s Free Trade Agreements?

The Hindu  

March 15, 2024 08:53 pm | Updated 09:18 pm IST As India signs a Free Trade Agreement with 4 European Nations, is there hope for other negotiations- from the UK and EU to Oman, Gulf and Eurasian countries? Let’s start with this week’s developments, and a flurry of activities around India’s Free Trade Agreement negotiations just ahead of elections being …

India's Gems and Jewellery Sector Aims for $1 Billion Exports
9 months, 1 week ago

India's Gems and Jewellery Sector Aims for $1 Billion Exports

Deccan Chronicle  

Chennai: India having signed a trade pact, the gems and jewellery industry hopes to grow exports to EFTA countries- Switzerland, Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein- from $335 million to $1 billion in the coming years. The Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement has opened immense opportunities for the Indian gem and jewellery sector to enhance its exports to the untapped EFTA countries …

High on intent and investment
9 months, 1 week ago

High on intent and investment

Hindustan Times  

India’s trade agreement with the European Free Trade Association — comprising Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland — may not reflect the country’s true level of ambition on trade deals, but it has considerable signalling value. For starters, the trade deal ties non-sovereign fund investment of $100 billion by the EFTA nations to tariff concessions being granted to a chunk of …

India-Europe's 16-year journey to historic FTA: Key things to know about pact
9 months, 1 week ago

India-Europe's 16-year journey to historic FTA: Key things to know about pact

Hindustan Times  

India signed a free trade agreement with a group of four European nations - Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein - on Sunday, which will see a major investment of around $100 billion for New Delhi over the next 15 years. India signed the FTA with Europe's four nation trade bloc on Sunday The free trade pact between the countries is …

India, EFTA's historic free trade agreement has a $100 billion investment plan
9 months, 1 week ago

India, EFTA's historic free trade agreement has a $100 billion investment plan

Hindustan Times  

India and the four-nation European bloc EFTA on Sunday signed a free trade agreement under which New Delhi has received an investment commitment of USD 100 billion over the next 15 years to facilitate the creation of one million jobs. India and EFTA inked a free trade agreement on Sunday, The European Free Trade Association members are Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, …

India, EFTA states sign trade deal to create resilient supply chains
9 months, 1 week ago

India, EFTA states sign trade deal to create resilient supply chains

Hindustan Times  

New Delhi: India and the European Free Trade Association bloc comprising Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland on Sunday signed a free trade agreement that is expected to create better integrated and more resilient supply chains and new opportunities for businesses and individuals on both sides. India-EFTA Trade & Economic Partnership Agreement signed and exchanged in Delhi in presence of Union …

India signs free trade agreement with European Free Trade Association
9 months, 1 week ago

India signs free trade agreement with European Free Trade Association

Deccan Chronicle  

India and the four-nation European bloc EFTA on Sunday signed a free trade agreement to promote investments and boost two-way trade in goods and services.The European Free Trade Association members are Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.The agreement has 14 chapters, including trade in goods, rules of origin, intellectual property rights, trade in services, investment promotion and cooperation, government procurement, technical …

India signs free trade pact with 4 European countries
9 months, 1 week ago

India signs free trade pact with 4 European countries

The Hindu  

India signed a free trade agreement with four European countries — Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland — on Sunday, with a goal of reaching $100 billion in investments in India and one million jobs. According to the TEPA’s Chapter 7 that deals with “Investment Promotion and Cooperation”, the two sides had shared “objectives” to increase foreign direct investment from EFTA …

India, EFTA Trade Pact A ‘Watershed Moment’ In Bilateral Relations, Says PM Narendra Modi
9 months, 1 week ago

India, EFTA Trade Pact A ‘Watershed Moment’ In Bilateral Relations, Says PM Narendra Modi

ABP News  

India signed a trade agreement with the European bloc, EFTA, made up of Singapore, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein, on Sunday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the trade agreement as a ‘watershed moment’ in the relationship between India and the EFTA bloc. A message by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as India signs Trade and Economic Participation Agreement with EFTA. Our next …

India Seeks Investment Of $50 Billion During First 10 Years Of Trade Pact With EFTA
9 months, 2 weeks ago

India Seeks Investment Of $50 Billion During First 10 Years Of Trade Pact With EFTA

ABP News  

India and four-nation European bloc EFTA will sign a free trade agreement on Sunday, which is likely to help promote investments and exports of key domestic services sectors such as IT, audio-visual, and movement of skilled professionals, an official said. Commenting on the pact, economic think tank Global Trade Research Initiative said that since 98 per cent of India's exports …

India-EFTA trade deal to be signed on Sunday
9 months, 2 weeks ago

India-EFTA trade deal to be signed on Sunday

Live Mint  

The India-EFTA free trade agreement is scheduled to be signed on Sunday. However, trade experts don't see any major gain from the deal, considering that 98% of India's exports to Switzerland are industrial goods entering at zero tariffs. “India's agricultural exports are minimal and unlikely to increase significantly due to strict quality standards and non-tariff barriers,” said Ajay Srivastava, who …

Ideas of India 3.0: India, UK Can Secure A Mutually Beneficial Trade Deal, Says British Politician Suella Braverman
9 months, 4 weeks ago

Ideas of India 3.0: India, UK Can Secure A Mutually Beneficial Trade Deal, Says British Politician Suella Braverman

ABP News  

British politician and member of the Parliament, Suella Braverman, said on Saturday that India and the UK have an opportunity to collaborate and work together on the world stage. That is why the post-Brexit UK heralds a great opportunity for a UK-India trade deal, the works for both our nations to double the trade to potentially 86 billion pounds, doubling …

India's Trade Deals With Oman, UK, EFTA Bloc Reflect Worldwide Economic Integration: GTRI
10 months ago

India's Trade Deals With Oman, UK, EFTA Bloc Reflect Worldwide Economic Integration: GTRI

ABP News  

The successful finalisation of India's proposed trade agreements with the UK, Oman, and the four-nation bloc EFTA in Europe will underscore its dedication to trade liberalisation and economic integration. The report further highlighted that the three agreements with the UK, Oman, and the European Free Trade Association indicate a transition in India's preference for trade alliances from east to west. …

Trade deal between India, European Free Trade Association likely within a few days, says Norwegian Minister
10 months ago

Trade deal between India, European Free Trade Association likely within a few days, says Norwegian Minister

The Hindu  

The Free Trade Agreement between India and the European Free Trade Association is in the final stages and is expected to be concluded within the next few days, Norway’s Deputy Foreign Minister Andreas Motzfeldt Kravik said on Thursday, February 22,2024. According to a leaked draft, within six months of the trade agreement being signed, signatories should include a “specific duration” …

India-UK free trade agreement talks in advanced stage: Commerce secretary
10 months, 1 week ago

India-UK free trade agreement talks in advanced stage: Commerce secretary

New Indian Express  

NEW DELHI: Negotiations between India and the United Kingdom for the proposed free trade agreement are at an advanced stage, Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal said Thursday adding that the deliberations are taking time as India wants to protect its interest. “India should commercially gain out of it and we should be able to safeguard the interest of our farmers, production …

Majority of India-U.K. FTA issues either closed or at advanced stage of talks: official
11 months, 1 week ago

Majority of India-U.K. FTA issues either closed or at advanced stage of talks: official

The Hindu  

Majority of the issues in the proposed free trade agreement between India and the U.K. are either finalised or at an advanced stage of talks, a government official said on January 15. On the progress on the proposed trade deal between India and the European Union, he said the seventh round of talks will be held from February 19-23 here. …

Trade push to top agenda of Katherine Tai’s 3-day visit
11 months, 2 weeks ago

Trade push to top agenda of Katherine Tai’s 3-day visit

Hindustan Times  

New Delhi: India and the US will discuss ways to boost bilateral trade during US Trade Representative Katherine Tai’s three-day India visit starting January 12, two officials said. Merchandise trade between the two countries fell by 9% to $79.28 billion in the first eight months The US is concerned about a widening of its trade deficit with India as the …

Negotiations on India, Oman free trade agreement progressing swiftly, pact likely to be inked next month, says official
11 months, 3 weeks ago

Negotiations on India, Oman free trade agreement progressing swiftly, pact likely to be inked next month, says official

Firstpost  

“With Oman, there is a very good progress and both sides are very eager to conclude this deal. It may be signed in January 2024,” said a government official The negotiations on much-awaited free trade agreement between India and Oman are progressing swiftly, with expectations of the agreement being formally signed next month. The pact would help increase exports from …

Optimistic on trade agreement ahead of elections: Swiss, Norway Ministers
1 year ago

Optimistic on trade agreement ahead of elections: Swiss, Norway Ministers

The Hindu  

No timeline can be given on the conclusion of talks between India and four Nordic countries of the European Free Trade Association for a Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement, said the Trade Ministers of Switzerland and Norway during a visit to Delhi. Government officials indicated that though the most recent round of talks between trade negotiators from India and the …

India to receive Trade Ministers from Switzerland, Norway for ‘critical talks’ this week
1 year ago

India to receive Trade Ministers from Switzerland, Norway for ‘critical talks’ this week

The Hindu  

As Trade Ministers from Switzerland and Norway visit Delhi this week, officials say they remain optimistic of reaching an agreement on a trade pact with Nordic countries in the next few months, although several outstanding issues remain and Indian trade negotiators are busy trying to close other FTAs with the U.K. and Australia. Talks about TEPA and a Bilateral Investment …

India's trade trajectory: FTAs and beyond
1 year, 1 month ago

India's trade trajectory: FTAs and beyond

Live Mint  

India has been refining its global trade strategy, emphasizing a fresh outlook on Free Trade Agreements. India's readiness to face these emerging challenges will determine how well it can fulfil its ambitions of becoming an export-oriented manufacturing hub Not so long ago, India embarked on a journey to strengthen its trade relations with several nations, forging FTAs that promised mutual …

‘Limited benefit for India in trade deal with UK’
1 year, 2 months ago

‘Limited benefit for India in trade deal with UK’

Live Mint  

The India-UK free trade agreement is expected to yield only limited benefits for India, as many of its exports to the UK already enjoy low or zero tariffs, a new research report has said. “While textiles, apparel, footwear, agricultural products and certain other items stand to benefit from tariff reductions, substantial growth in Indian exports to the UK will ultimately …

India, UK start weekly FTA negotiations, says official
1 year, 2 months ago

India, UK start weekly FTA negotiations, says official

Live Mint  

New Delhi: India and the UK have begun weekly trade negotiations, as both the nations look to complete negotiations for a free trade agreement soonest, India's commerce secretary Sunil Bharthwal said on Friday. This comes amid reports that India and the United Kingdom could sign the proposed FTA by the end of October 2023, with UK prime minister Rishi Sunak …

India-UK likely to sign FTA deal by October end: Report
1 year, 2 months ago

India-UK likely to sign FTA deal by October end: Report

Live Mint  

India and the United Kingdom are expected to sign a proposed free-trade agreement deal at the end of October 2023, according to a report published by Economic Times. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has earlier reiterated his commitment to closer India-UK ties across different sectors, including a FTA, between the two countries. A 30-member official delegation from the UK started …

India, Britain Close to Sealing Free Trade Deal
1 year, 3 months ago

India, Britain Close to Sealing Free Trade Deal

Deccan Chronicle  

NEW DELHI: A Free Trade Agreement between India and the United Kingdom is on the verge of being finalised, with India expressing optimism about ongoing negotiations to resolve differences concerning the proposed FTA. Earlier in the day, the India-UK Economic Financial Dialogue took place in New Delhi, addressing a range of issues encompassing macroeconomics, financial services, trade, infrastructure, investments, and …

India, UK agree to expedite long-delayed Free Trade Agreement
1 year, 3 months ago

India, UK agree to expedite long-delayed Free Trade Agreement

Firstpost  

At a joint press conference with UK Chancellor of Exchequer Jeremy Hunt, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said both countries intend to expedite the free trade agreement India and the United Kingdom on Monday expressed their commitment to an early conclusion of the long-delayed free trade agreement between the two countries. Addressing a joint press conference with UK Chancellor of Exchequer …

Confident of striking a modern, forward-looking free trade agreement: British PM Rishi Sunak on trade ties with India
1 year, 3 months ago

Confident of striking a modern, forward-looking free trade agreement: British PM Rishi Sunak on trade ties with India

The Hindu  

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on September 6 said there was “still some way to go” for a free trade pact with India to be finalised, but appeared confident that the final outcome will be a "forward-looking" and "modern" deal that would benefit both sides and facilitate shared ambition of doubling trade by 2030. In an exclusive interview to PTI, …

India, U.K. to continue FTA negotiations till August-end
1 year, 3 months ago

India, U.K. to continue FTA negotiations till August-end

The Hindu  

Indian and U.K. officials will continue their negotiations till the month-end to iron out differences on the proposed free trade agreement, the Commerce Ministry said on August 27. "Both leaders expressed their unwavering commitment to reaching a conclusion on a fair, balanced, and mutually beneficial trade deal that will enhance economic cooperation between the two countries," it added. In a …

EFTA looking at reduction in trade barriers on pharma, Swiss chocolate, fish in proposed pact with India
1 year, 3 months ago

EFTA looking at reduction in trade barriers on pharma, Swiss chocolate, fish in proposed pact with India

The Hindu  

Four-nation bloc EFTA is looking at significant reduction in trade barriers on sectors such as machine tools, advanced chemicals, pharma, chocolates, Norwegian and Icelandic fish in the proposed free trade agreement with India, a Swiss minister said. Swiss State Secretary for Economic Affairs Helene Budliger Artieda also said that with India, the EFTA grouping is aiming for an ambitious and …

Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal to push trade deals in U.K.
1 year, 5 months ago

Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal to push trade deals in U.K.

The Hindu  

Union Commerce, Industry and Textiles Minister Piyush Goyal is heading for a two-day visit to London, starting Monday, to take forward negotiations for bilateral trade pacts with the United Kingdom and the four-nation European Free Trade Association bloc. U.K.’s Minister for International Trade Nigel Huddleston said last week that half of the chapters in the proposed bilateral trade agreement had …

India, UK still far apart on free trade deal: Report
1 year, 7 months ago

India, UK still far apart on free trade deal: Report

Live Mint  

India and Britain are struggling to make progress in free trade talks due to differences on some key tariff lines and investment protection rules, making a deal unlikely during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's second term ending next year, Indian sources said. Besides tariffs, Britain is also pushing India to agree on strong investment-protection provisions either as part of the deal …

Current Regime Wants to Facilitate FTA, Says UK India Business Council Chief - News18
1 year, 8 months ago

Current Regime Wants to Facilitate FTA, Says UK India Business Council Chief - News18

News 18  

As India and the UK are scheduled to hold the next round of trade talks on April 24, some top business leaders in both the countries are of the opinion that the political turmoil in the western nation has affected the agreement to a certain extent, but now with Rishi Sunak having taken over as the Prime Minister, things are …

Free Trade Agreement negotiations on with UK, EU and Canada: Nirmala Sitharaman
1 year, 8 months ago

Free Trade Agreement negotiations on with UK, EU and Canada: Nirmala Sitharaman

Deccan Chronicle  

Washington: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday while speaking at the Peterson Institute for International Economics on Free Trade Agreements in Washington said that FTAs are being signed in a much "faster" way nowadays and also informed that the India-UK Free Trade Agreement negotiations are "going on as we speak." "Free Trade Agreements are being signed in a much …

'A Very Important Goal': India-EU Free Trade Agreement A Potential Game Changer, Says Jaishankar
1 year, 9 months ago

'A Very Important Goal': India-EU Free Trade Agreement A Potential Game Changer, Says Jaishankar

News 18  

External affairs minister S Jaishankar expressed optimism on the proposed free trade agreement with the European Union and hoped that it would conclude soon. Underlining the areas of cooperation such as clean energy, technology transfer, digital transformation, and emerging technologies such as additive manufacturing and AI, the minister said that the India-EU FTA is “a very important goal”. He said, …

Top Swiss delegation on India visit to take forward FTA talks
1 year, 10 months ago

Top Swiss delegation on India visit to take forward FTA talks

The Hindu  

A Swiss delegation led by the State Secretary of Economic Affairs, Helene Budliger, will be in India on Tuesday for talks on the Free Trade Agreement. “Switzerland, as part of European Free Trade Association, is very keen to conclude a long-term FTA negotiation with success and this is my top priority, because there is great potential between the economic relationship …

In India-U.K. trade deal, focus on what is acceptable to both countries: Piyush Goyal
1 year, 10 months ago

In India-U.K. trade deal, focus on what is acceptable to both countries: Piyush Goyal

The Hindu  

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has said that in the talks for the proposed free trade agreement between India and the U.K., the focus is on what is acceptable to both countries and not allow sensitive issues to scuttle the discussions. "With U.K., our approach is let's focus on what is acceptable to both the countries and let us …

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