In RCEP negotiations, Delhi has been consistent. It is right to put its own interests first | The Indian Express

In RCEP negotiations, Delhi has been consistent. It is right to put its own interests first | The Indian Express

Written by Soumya Kanti Ghosh |Updated: November 5, 2019 9:50:51 am

The writer is the chief economic advisor with the State Bank of India.

In RCEP negotiations, Delhi has been consistent. It is right to put its own interests first

Indian negotiators have taken steps to ensure that domestic manufacturing is effectively protected from unfair competition.

India has decided to maintain a consistent stand throughout the negotiations, and it is not reneging on any of the demands of its trading partners. (File)

After seven years, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) negotiations, started by leaders from the ASEAN countries and their free trade agreement (FTA) partners in November 2012, have concluded in Bangkok. The good thing is that India still has some unresolved issues, and this has resulted in it holding back its decision to join the RCEP. In fact, India has decided to maintain a consistent stand throughout the negotiations, and it is not reneging on any of the demands of its trading partners. It has decided to keep its self-interest at the forefront.