Next round of India-Oman FTA talks from January 16; negotiations progressing well: Official

Next round of India-Oman FTA talks from January 16; negotiations progressing well: Official

“The next round of talks for the proposed free trade agreement (FTA) between India and Oman will start from January 16 and the negotiations for the pact are progressing well,” a senior official said on January 9. “The talks on the text of most of the chapters have been concluded by both sides for the … Read more

Ayurvedic products not part of India-U.K. FTA dialogue

Ayurvedic products not part of India-U.K. FTA dialogue

Sarpagandha (rauvolfia serpentine) medicinal plant. File. | Photo Credit: K. Ravikumar NEW DELHI The U.K.’s policy towards Ayurveda products is not part of negotiations on the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), The Hindu has learnt. The U.K. grants Traditional Herbal Registration for herbal or homeopathic medicines that are used to treat minor health conditions. But … Read more

FTA likely on track as UK warms to investment pact

FTA likely on track as UK warms to investment pact

New Delhi: India and the United Kingdom are trying to find a middle ground to conclude a bilateral investment treaty along with a free trade agreement (FTA) by the end of this month, said people with knowledge of the matter. The prospects of a deal have brightened with the UK softening its stance on India’s … Read more

India, UK officials to start 13th round of FTA talks from Sep 4

India, UK officials to start 13th round of FTA talks from Sep 4

New Delhi: Senior officials of India and the UK will start the 13th round of negotiations for the proposed free trade agreement from September 4, an official said on Thursday. The two sides concluded the 12th round of negotiations on August 31. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has recently stated that the negotiations between … Read more

Commerce Ministry looking at ways to increase its bandwidth to negotiate free trade pacts

Commerce Ministry looking at ways to increase its bandwidth to negotiate free trade pacts

With a number of countries approaching India for negotiating bilateral free trade agreements (FTAs) to boost economic ties, the commerce ministry is looking at ways to increase its bandwidth for undertaking these time and human resource consuming talks, a senior official said. The commerce ministry officials at present are negotiating several FTAs with countries including … Read more

Influx of inquiries from European companies on renewed interest in India: World Trade Center

Influx of inquiries from European companies on renewed interest in India: World Trade Center

India’s free trade agreement (FTA) talks with the European Union have sparked an interest from overseas investors and manufactures in the country. The World Trade Center (Pune) is receiving 10-15 inquiries every week from European companies who are keen to manufacture or distribute from India. “There is an influx of inquiries from Europe for India … Read more

Very optimistic about FTA with India, says UK Investment Minister Lord Dominic Johnson

Very optimistic about FTA with India, says UK Investment Minister Lord Dominic Johnson

An India-UK free trade agreement (FTA) is really important for both nations and it is for businesses on both sides to help drive that agenda, UK Minister for Investment Lord Dominic Johnson said in London on Tuesday. Addressing a UK-India Infrastructure Summit hosted by the City of London Corporation as part of the India Global … Read more

Goods exports contract 10.3% in May

Goods exports contract 10.3% in May

India’s merchandise exports contracted 10.3% year-on-year in May to $34.98 billion from $39 billion a year ago, data released on Thursday showed. Imports also shrank 6.6% on-year to $57.1 billion from $61.13 billion, leaving a trade deficit of $22.12 billion in May from $22.13 billion a year ago. Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal said headwinds still … Read more

Will have great FTA with India, negotiations going well: UK MP Baroness Verma

Will have great FTA with India, negotiations going well: UK MP Baroness Verma

United Kingdom House of Lords Member Baroness Verma on Saturday said the UK and India will have a great Free Trade Agreement (FTA) deal and that the negotiations between the two countries are going well. Baroness Verma told ANI, “I think first of all my expectations are we’re going to have a great FTA and … Read more

Make globalization more transparent: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in US

Make globalization more transparent: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in US

India is not seeking to reverse the benefits of globalization, but is asking that it be made more transparent, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said Monday. “It’s not to say that we have to reverse the benefits of globalization. It is more to say, make globalization more transparent,” Sitharaman told a prominent American think-tank Peterson … Read more