ISDS Case Map
India
The Sri Lankan government will negotiate with the Indian government on how to rectify the concerns raised against the Economic and Technology Co-operation Agreement while reviewing the Singapore Free Trade Agreement.
The planned makeover of India's 14-year-old goods trade pact with Asean may take longer than expected as members of New Delhi's fourth largest trading partner press to negotiate tariffs individually.
India's free trade agreement (FTA) with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), signed in March 2024, is progressing towards implementation by the end of 2025. India will reduce tariffs on select EFTA goods like Swiss watches and chocolates.
Demands of certain developed countries from India to negotiate 'investment protection' elements under an FTA is inappropriate as negotiating the matter as part of a separate chapter under the trade pact could have larger and detrimental implications.
The two countries entered into FTA negotiations 14 years ago, but talks stalled after 10 rounds of discussions, and no formal round of negotiations has been held since February 2015.
Switzerland has raised concerns about its potential impact on India's trade relations, the Commerce Secretary has clarified that it will not affect the $100 billion investment commitment made by EFTA countries under the recently signed trade deal.
Both leaders agreed that it is now opportune to further enhance the trade partnership by committing to continue discussions on the Economic & Technological Cooperation Agreement.
From Saudi Arabia to the UK and the European Union to Sri Lanka, India's model bilateral investment treaty (BIT) and the finance ministry' steadfast refusal to tweak it is posing problems.
India and Britain are set to restart discussion regarding a free trade agreement by the end of January 2025.
