Asean not keen to review trade pact: Government
NEW DELHI: Commerce and industry minister
Piyush Goyal
on Tuesday said little headway was made in the review of 15-year-old free trade agreement (FTA) with Asean, despite nine rounds of negotiations since 2022.
The minister's statement came days after controversy erupted over his comments on some of the Asean countries being a B-team of China. While the assertion was not taken favourably by some of the countries. which are part of the 10-nation trading bloc, the commerce department and the ministry of external affairs are seen to be on the same page, with sources confirming that there is an attempt to stonewall the talks.
In 2019, Asean agreed to the review after much pushing by India, but then did not commence negotiations for almost two years.
Indian authorities argued that China worked out arrangements through companies and affiliates, which allowed it to route subsidised goods through one of the countries that make up the trading bloc.
The Modi govt argued that trade deal with Asean was not negotiated properly by the UPA, resulting in the terms of trade being tilted in favour of these countries, which was visible through the rising trade deficit. Officials pointed out that in return for India opening up 71% of its tariff lines, Indonesia responded for only 41% of the products, with two-thirds of the trade liberalised in the case of Vietnam and Thailand - areas where India is seeking correction.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
BMW i4. 100% Elétrico.
BMW
Saiba Mais
Undo
Addressing an event to commemorate the third anniversary of Vanijya Bhawan, the first new office block to come up along Kartavya Path, Goyal said that India was now seeking to enter into FTAs with advanced economies that were complementary and not competing for the same market. "Instead of competition, it is a spirit of collaboration," he told reporters.
Stay informed with the latest
business
news, updates on
bank holidays
and
public holidays
.
AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
22 minutes ago
- Hans India
Six TG students return safely from Iran, Israel
Hyderabad: In a coordinated effort involving New Delhi's Telangana Bhavan and the State government, six students from Telangana, including four from Iran and two from Israel, have safely returned to India. All six had pre-booked their onward flights to Hyderabad and were safely seen off by Telangana Bhavan staff, officials confirmed. Officials stated that, following the directives of Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, the Government of Telangana is actively monitoring the ongoing crisis in the Middle East and is extending all necessary support to Telangana citizens returning from the affected regions. The students were safely seen off by Telangana Bhavan staff at 5:30 AM on Monday, with officials ensuring their comfort and well being during their stay in Delhi and assisting them until they boarded their flights. 'Furthermore, we are expecting seven more Telangana citizens to arrive in New Delhi by Monday evening,' officials informed. 'These individuals have successfully crossed over from Israel to Amman, Jordan, and are scheduled to reach India shortly. Arrangements are being made to receive and support them at the airport and at Telangana Bhavan.' Meanwhile, several other Telangana residents stranded in Israel are facing delays due to the temporary closure of Israeli airspace. Despite these disruptions, the Government of Telangana remains fully committed to assisting all affected citizens and is in constant coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs, Indian Embassies, and concerned authorities. The Chief Minister has instructed officials to ensure that every Telangana resident arriving from the region receives timely assistance, proper accommodation, and onward travel support. 'Citizens are advised to stay in touch with official channels and avoid relying on unverified information. The Government of Telangana stands firmly with its people during this challenging time and will continue its efforts to ensure their safety and swift return,' officials added in a media release.
Time of India
25 minutes ago
- Time of India
KEA issues UGCET 2025 verification slips at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in: Correction dates to be announced soon
The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has officially issued the verification slips for UGCET 2025 (KCET 2025) on its website. These slips confirm the preliminary verification of candidate documents submitted during the application process. Students can download the verification slip by logging in with their registration details on the KEA portal – Additionally, KEA has notified that a correction window will be provided for candidates who need to amend any errors in their submitted information. The dates for the correction window will be announced shortly. Only those who receive a verification slip will be eligible for further steps, including counselling. What is the UGCET 2025 verification slip ? The verification slip is an official confirmation that KEA has checked and accepted a candidate's documents, such as: Class 10 and 12 mark sheets Caste and income certificates (if applicable) Rural, Kannada medium, and NCC/NSS/Defence quota documents (if applicable) This slip is essential for participating in the seat allotment and counselling rounds. How to download KEA UGCET verification slip? To access their UGCET verification slips, candidates must follow these steps: Go to Click on the UGCET 2025 portal Log in using your registration number and password Download the verification slip and save a copy for future use KEA correction window KEA has stated that candidates who have made mistakes in their application or document submissions will be given a one-time opportunity to correct them. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Perdagangkan CFD Emas dengan Broker Tepercaya IC Markets Mendaftar Undo The dates for the correction window will be announced soon on the KEA website. Corrections will be allowed only in-person at the KEA office. Candidates will be allotted specific dates for this visit based on their application number. Those who fail to correct their documents within the window or do not attend in person will risk being disqualified from the admission process. What's next? Only candidates who have downloaded the verification slip will be eligible to participate in the UGCET 2025 counselling process. KEA will announce: The detailed counselling schedule Guidelines for option entry and seat allotment Instructions for document submission and fee payment Candidates are advised to regularly check the official website for updates and ensure all necessary documents are ready. Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? Enroll now and take advantage of our early bird offer! Spaces are limited.
Time of India
26 minutes ago
- Time of India
Telangana-AP faceoff stokes debate on Godavari-Krishna linking: State opposes Polavaram–Banakacherla diversion; backs revival of Itchampally–Nagarjuna Sagar route
HYDERABAD: The long-dormant debate over linking the Godavari and Krishna rivers has flared up again, triggered by Andhra Pradesh's renewed push for the Polavaram-Banakacherla irrigation scheme. Telangana, which has strongly opposed the plan, sees it as a unilateral move that undermines regional water-sharing balance. In response, chief minister A Revanth Reddy has offered to reopen talks on the Itchampally-Nagarjuna Sagar (Godavari-Krishna) linkage, provided AP withdraws the Banakacherla proposal. Officials pointed out that multiple Godavari-Krishna interlinking proposals have been floated over the past several years. In 2019, the then BRS govt proposed a Polavaram-Srisailam link, while the Centre came up with an ambitious plan to connect the Godavari, Krishna, Pennar, and Cauvery rivers through a mega inter-basin transfer originating at Itchampally in Telangana. A task force on river interlinking is currently reviewing the Central proposal, with a meeting expected soon. However, Telangana has objected to the project, stating that no water diversion should occur until its existing and future irrigation needs are fully met. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play Chess on Your PC, Free Play Classic Chess Install Now Undo 'Cooperation is key' Irrigation engineers have underscored the importance of cooperation, especially in light of the Brijesh Kumar Tribunal's recommendation allowing Karnataka to raise the Alamatti dam height by 5 metres. This could reduce Krishna water availability downstream. To offset the impact, experts suggest diverting 3-4 tmc ft of Godavari water to Krishna for at least 100 days each year. The Telangana Retired Engineers Association (TREA), which had submitted interlinking proposals to the previous BRS govt, maintains that the most practical and mutually beneficial route is the Polavaram-to-Srisailam corridor via the river itself. This option, they say, is both cost-effective and avoids large-scale land acquisition. "There were three rounds of discussions between irrigation engineers from Telangana and AP in 2019 to explore Godavari water diversion to Krishna. It would benefit Telangana's Nalgonda and Mahabubnagar districts and Rayalaseema in AP," said TREA president M Shyamprasad Reddy. He added that the proposed 20,000 crore project would route water from Polavaram through Prakasam barrage, Vaikuntapuram, Pulichintala dam, Nagarjuna Sagar tail pond, and finally to Srisailam using reversible turbines. The proposal was sidelined after the former YSRCP govt unilaterally announced the Banakacherla scheme, Reddy said. He urged both states to revive the original plan. Telangana govt opposes project Telangana has opposed not only AP's Banakacherla project but also the Centre's Godavari-Cauvery river link. "There are already two irrigation projects on either side of the proposed Itchampally site. One of them, the Sammakka-Sarakka project, has been completed. The state govt has conveyed to the Centre that the project site should be relocated ," said the engineer-in-chief of the irrigation department.
