No compromise on IPR in FTA with EU: Govt

At the Indo-EU Summit,the negotiators will present a report which will outline the basic contours of the FTA which is being called a Bilateral Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA). This is in line with the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreements that India has entered into with some other countries.

It may be noted that the earlier commitment was to complete negotiations by the end of this year,but EU got preoccupied with the crisis in Greece. However,sources said,negotiations picked up pace in the last two rounds with both sides making dramatic progress.

Further,India has said it is not going to compromise on the generic drugs issue,which has been an obstacle after EU seized consignment of Indian drugs two year ago citing its Customs rules. India had then protested at the WTO,which called for consultations between both sides.

The other key issue relates to free movement of people to provide services ,which is under negotiations amid reports that EU is willing to address Indian concerns on this too.