IE Highlights

Search
Indian Express
Web
Advanced Search
Search Archives

Advertisments

Matrimonials Register FREE on Naukri.com. airtel call home@6/min Tata AIG's Maharaksha Book International flights & get 10000 Money Back No minimum balance NRI account

Send Flowers

Live Cricket

Business

FTA with China not a priority: Govt

Agencies

Posted online: Wednesday, April 23, 2008 at 1423 hrs Print Email


New Delhi, April 23:: Government said a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with China was not a "priority" for India due to "deep divisions" within the government and opposition from the industry.

"This is an issue (FTA with China) in which there are deep divisions both within the government as well as within the Indian industry," Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jairam Ramesh said in the Rajya Sabha.

As of now, pursuing an FTA with China is not a priority, he said, adding that "no final decision will be taken on a Free Trade Agreement with China without consultation with all stakeholders including industry".

India and China have set up a joint study group to ascertain the feasibility of an FTA. While negotiations are underway, industry bodies like FICCI and Assocham have asked the government to adopt a cautious approach before signing the agreement, arguing that resultant tariff cuts will see Chinese goods flooding Indian markets.

China has become India's number one trading partner with a massive increase in trade volume in the last few years.

India has already signed trade agreements with Singapore, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal and is a signatory to the South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA).

To a separate question, he said Pakistan has violated international law by not granting Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to India despite New Delhi extending it to Islamabad.

He said despite Pakistan not granting MFN status to India, trade between the two has increased with exports to that country touching USD 1.6 Billion and imports about USD 400 mn.

Ads By Google

Post CommentView CommentsWrite to Editor

All Headlines All Front Page News
Your comment[s] on this article


Be the first to comment on this story.

Total comment[s]:0 | Read comment[s]| Post your comment

Full Coverage

School PulseThe CM WritesTaking on NaxalsBenazir's AssassinationThird Eye

Most Read Articles

Terror strikes India in Kabul: IFS officer, Brigadier among 41 killedPM says we will move fast on IAEA as Vienna set for July 28 meetingIndia climate plan is roadmap for energy security, says SaranThe discreet charm of Nilotpal BasuCitigroup is weighing its $2-bn stake in HDFC

Most Emailed Articles

Taking high ground, Azad quits to pave way for Governor’s ruleAlarm bells ring as ‘fresh’ tiger bones seized in GurgaonSerial blasts rock Karachi; 1 killed, 50 injuredDhoni opts out of SL Test seriesOn Hokkaido time