India-Australia aim for ‘early harvest’ trade pact by December
The Hindu
Accord planned as precursor to a full economic agreement
The trade ministers of India and Australia have agreed to speed up trade negotiations with an aim to reach an interim ‘early harvest’ pact by December for liberalising the bilateral flow of goods and services. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal met Australia’s Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Dan Tehan, virtually on Thursday to discuss the road map for concluding a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA), beginning with the early harvest accord. The meeting comes within three weeks of a visit to New Delhi by the Australian Prime Minister’s special envoy to India Tony Abbott. Australia views India as a long-standing, valued and trusted partner, Mr. Abbott had asserted in his meetings with Indian ministers, hinting at an expeditious approach on Canberra’s part to CECA negotiations.More Related News