India discusses FTA issues with EU

The Dollar Business Bureau

Nirmala Sitharaman, Commerce and Industry Minister and Cecilia Malmstrom, European Union Commissioner for Trade met in Paris where they discussed various issues including the possibility of resuming the delayed FTA negotiations.

The meeting happened on the sidelines of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development's (OECD) Ministerial Council.

Besides the WTO related issues and the Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA), both the sides have considered promoting trade and Investments.

The negotiations for the proposed BTIA started in June 2007. The proposal has seen a lot of hurdles with both sides facing differences in crucial issues like duty cut in automobiles and spirits, liberal visa regimes and intellectual property rights.

Before this meeting in Paris, officials from both the sides have met twice this year to resolve the issues.

Sitharaman also said that the government wants to work with the European Union and sign the agreement.

Malmstrom in a tweet said that she met Sitharaman and discussed the trade agreement and the WTO agenda. 

Further bilateral meetings were also set up with counterparts including the Trade Minister of New Zealand and Canada.

During the visit, the trade the Commerce and the industry minister also attended an informal WTO on key trade ministries.