India, Australia edge closer to final ‘interim deal’ on trade

Both sides respect each other’s ‘sensitivities’, says Canberra’s Trade Minister

The between India and Australia is unlikely to include items that both sides consider “sensitive”, said on Friday. Addressing a joint press conference in New Delhi, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal announced that the Indian and Australian negotiators will have the final “interim agreement” ready in 30 days and that the agreement will be a “win-win” document.

“We understand India’s sensitivities about dairy, wheat and beef. We have respected each other’s sensitivities in the interim agreement,” said Mr. Tehan who spent the last two days negotiating the trade deal. The assurance about Australia’s understanding of India’s economic and socio-political concerns regarding dairy and agricultural items stems from growing anxiety among the Indian farmers’ unions who have been keeping a close watch on the ongoing negotiations about the interim agreement ahead of the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA).