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  1. Negotiations

China-India

China and India, the two giants of Asia, have been talking (unconvincingly) of the possibility of a bilateral free trade agreement for several years. A feasibility study was completed in October 2008, but there is much opposition from India’s business sector as well as many other political complications that are likely to keep the idea on a very low flame for a while.

last update: May 2012
Photo: PP Yoonus / CC BY-SA 3.0

India, China complete FTA feasibility study: Minister
11-Oct-2008 India PR Wire
India and China have completed a feasibility study on their proposed Free Trade Agreement. It now awaits the approval of the leadership of the two countries.
India, Canada to discuss FTA during Kamal Nath’s visit
4-May-2008 PTI
India will hold discussion on Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Canada during Union Commerce Minister Kamal Nath’s visit to that country next month.
FTA with China not a priority: Govt.
23-Apr-2008
The government on Wednesday said a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with China was not a "priority" for India due to "deep divisions" within the government and opposition from the industry.
Cautious approach needed on FTA with China: Assocham
5-Apr-2008
India should be cautious while signing free trade agreements (FTAs), specially with China as it could affect the interest domestic industry, a report released by industry chamber Assocham said on Saturday.
Industry sees only troubles, no gains from China FTA
22-Mar-2008
The government has been urged to adopt a cautious stand on free trade agreement (FTAs), especially in the case of countries like China, and discourage export of raw materials. Import duties should come down gradually under such pacts and India Inc should be enabled to face global competition, says a study by industry chamber Assocham. While acknowledging that India cannot shy away from globalisation, the government has been asked to beef up infrastructure and provide a favourable exchange rate mechanism to ensure a level playing field.
Supachai: ‘An India-China FTA will be better than an India-US FTA’
10-Mar-2008 Financial Express
Interview with the UN Conference on Trade & Development’s secretary-general, and former WTO chief, Supachai Panitchpakdi.
Commerce ministry opposes China FTA
9-Feb-2008 Business Standard
India’s commerce ministry has endorsed India Inc’s stand against signing a free trade agreement (FTA) with China until it becomes a market economy that follows transparent pricing of manufactured goods and services.
No talks on FTA with China this year, says Nath
16-Jan-2008 FE
Indicating that a free trade agreement (FTA) with China is a long way off, commerce and industry minister Kamal Nath said on Wednesday that New Delhi and Beijing would not have any discussions on such a pact during 2008.
Chinese exports to India rising fast
14-Jan-2008 TOI
India Inc may have got some ammunition to ward off a free trade agreement with China. A study has revealed a steep growth in major manufactured good imports from China.
FTA with China unlikely: Nath
11-Jan-2008 NDTV
India and China are expected to sign dozens of trade deals during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s three-day visit to China from January 13, but India is wary of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with China.