Mutual Sensitivities: Key to Fast-Tracking India-EU Free Trade Agreement

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal highlights the importance of understanding mutual sensitivities to expedite the India-EU free trade talks. He cautions against the inclusion of the dairy sector in discussions due to India's concerns and suggests leaving extraneous issues like labor and climate change to relevant international forums.

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal underscored the significance of respecting mutual sensitivities in advancing India-EU free trade agreement negotiations. Speaking at the Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business, he warned against including the dairy sector, citing India's reservations.

Goyal also emphasized that discussions should focus on trade, investment, and strategic partnerships, leaving external issues such as labor and climate change to dedicated international forums.

Highlighting the need for a political consensus, Goyal pointed out that successful agreements with countries like the UAE, Australia, and EFTA were achieved by acknowledging each other's sensitivities. He insisted the EU must do the same, stating, "If the EU insists that I open up dairy, there is no FTA."

(With inputs from agencies.)