ISDS Case Map
India
As the results of the elections in India and the elections to the European Parliament have been announced, it is high time for India and the EU to build on the momentum, intensify strategic dialogues, and enhance cooperation.
The official statement from the RCEP Ministerial Meeting held on August 2-3 said the RCEP talks “must keep the momentum towards concluding negotiations within the year.” But actual progress of the negotiations is slow.
India is unlikely to sign a China-backed Asia-Pacific trade pact because of opposition from industry and farmers, a powerful nationalist group tied to Prime Narendra Modi.
Sri Lankan International Trade Minister plans to hold ministerial-level discussions with Indian counterparts during his visit to India this week, in order to resume trade negotiations.
Most industrial sectors, farmers rightly fear an import deluge. The Centre seems to have realised this; it needs to decide fast.
Trade Minister Simon Birmingham will hold high-level talks with his Chinese and Indian counterparts from Thursday in a bid to break down Indian resistance to removing agricultural tariffs.
The RCEP will destroy farm livelihoods especially in the domestic dairy sector.
The commerce and industries minister Piyush Goyal will not take part in the RCEP Intersessional Ministerial meeting at Beijing.
Australia has cast doubt on whether the 16 countries that make up the RCEP will be able to thrash out a deal by year’s end, with disagreements between China and India undercutting talks in recent months.
Making a push for India, Australia’s High Commissioner, Harinder Sidhu says political will to conclude the deal must be matched with persuading Indian industry.
