ISDS Case Map
India
As part of its policy to push for Free Trade Agreements with major trading partners, India has formally launched negotiations with the European Union for an ambitious and comprehensive FTA aimed at removing barriers across all sectors including investment and services.
Indian Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon yesterday urged India's smaller neighbours to overcome political issues to become stakeholders in the India-led regional economic growth by dismantling trade and road and water transport barriers.
The World Trade Organization (WTO) lays down parameters for the conduct of international trade among its 150 member countries. The basic objective, as stated more than implemented, is to provide a fair, transparent, non-discriminatory, rule-based multilateral trade environment.
When International Trade Minister David Emerson announced earlier this month Canada's first free trade agreement in six years, he said the deal, combined with the government's intentions to conclude ongoing talks with several other trading partners and start a host of new negotiations, was a sign that Canada was "back in the game."
Having failed to get any concession on fast-expanding Indian market for food products in the WTO talks, the European Union will push for achieving a similar objective in its bilateral negotiations with New Delhi on the India-EU Free Trade Agreement.
The visiting Thailand prime minister, General Surayud Chulanont, said on Tuesday that India and Thailand are close to concluding a free trade agreement (FTA) in goods. A roadshow to speed up the FTA will soon be launched.
The Calcutta Paper Traders' Association (CPTA) is expecting lowering of duties on writing, printing, packing and wrapping papers imported from Thailand as Thai Prime Minister General Surayud Chulanont is scheduled to visit India soon.
Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont and Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh are to sign pacts on Tuesday on energy and culture, while speeding up talks on a free trade deal that could be signed next month.
India's trade with Thailand could touch USD 7 billion by 2010-11 propelled by a doubling in transaction under Free Trade Agreement (FTA), but there has been an alarming widening of trade deficit, industry chamber FICCI said on Friday.
A bilateral agreement on non-conventional energy and another on cultural exchanges are among the agreements to be signed when Thai Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont arrives here on a two-day visit on June 26. Leading a 30-member business delegation, the visiting leader is going to push for an early conclusion of the free trade agreement (FTA) between India and Thailand.
