Hard negotiations mark latest round of Indo-EU trade talks
Indo-EU talks on FTA have witnessed "forward movement" but New Delhi has insisted that while it will not erect any new trade barriers, it cannot be a one-way street and both sides face "difficult decisions" in future.
By PTI |
BRUSSELS: Indo-EU talks on FTA have witnessed "forward movement" but New Delhi has insisted that while it will not erect any new trade barriers, it cannot be a one-way street and both sides face "difficult decisions" in future, Indian official said here.
India and the 27-nation European Union have been negotiating the ambitious broad-based trade and investment free trade agreement since October last year and have set a deadline of 2008-end.
There was "seriousness, gravitas and a forward movement" during the latest round of talks, India's chief negotiator Rahul Khullar said after the third round of negotiations concluded here yesterday.
He said that the Trade and Investment agreement between the two sides was the first of its kind and should be on acceptable terms.
"It is not a one-way street. There has to be give and take," Khullar told reporters.
Khullar said that both sides have made initial offers on trade and goods and India was committed to negotiate on matters that were "germane to trade and investment."
Commenting on the discussions, Indian Ambassador to the EU Dipak Chatterjee said that "it was a cordial exchange but included hard negotiations."
"Difficult decisions lie ahead and conclusions will be carefully weighed by both sides," he added.
Analysts say that there can be rigid reluctance over non-tariff barriers on the European side. They say that negotiations will be difficult because EU interests extend much beyond normal trading and investment.
India and the 27-nation European Union have been negotiating the ambitious broad-based trade and investment free trade agreement since October last year and have set a deadline of 2008-end.
There was "seriousness, gravitas and a forward movement" during the latest round of talks, India's chief negotiator Rahul Khullar said after the third round of negotiations concluded here yesterday.
He said that the Trade and Investment agreement between the two sides was the first of its kind and should be on acceptable terms.
"It is not a one-way street. There has to be give and take," Khullar told reporters.
Khullar said that both sides have made initial offers on trade and goods and India was committed to negotiate on matters that were "germane to trade and investment."
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Commenting on the discussions, Indian Ambassador to the EU Dipak Chatterjee said that "it was a cordial exchange but included hard negotiations."
"Difficult decisions lie ahead and conclusions will be carefully weighed by both sides," he added.
Analysts say that there can be rigid reluctance over non-tariff barriers on the European side. They say that negotiations will be difficult because EU interests extend much beyond normal trading and investment.
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