Ahead of concluding India-European Union talks on free trade agreement in Brussels, the Prime Minister's Trade and Economic Relations Committee (TERC) will review the issue in New Delhi on Wednesday. The chief negotiators of the two countries are continuing their discussions on the second day today to finalise the draft. Officials from both sides have remained engaged in resolving difference on key issues like opening of markets in auto and auto components, wines and spirits, and intellectual property rights and services. AIR correspondent quoting sources reports, the two sides have agreed on four of the 12 key areas which have been in the negotiations since June 2007 for Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement, aimed at freeing vast markets of about two billion people to mutual advantage. While the European Union wants India to eliminate or drastically reduce tariff on completely built units and completely knocked down units in passenger cars, the Indian negotiators are resisting the demand to protect the domestic industry. European Union also wants India to open its services sector including foreign direct investment in retail, banking and other financial services. Commerce Secretary Rahul Khullar is scheduled to visit Brussels later this week to discuss the pact with his counterpart.
News On AIR | April 5, 2011 1:20 PM