“I am helpless as those agreements (came into effect) before we came to power. I am helpless to change it until we close the negotiations.
“We are under re-negotiations but obviously when they (Japan, Korea, Asean) realise that the Congress’s agreement was better for them (Japan, Korea, Asean), they are happier to keep that rather than change the agreements… they are going very slow, (but) we are also pursuing,” he said while speaking at a CII programme on Viksit Bharat.
The minister also did some tough talking with the industry.
He said the domestic players seek duty concessions in FTAs but they are not ready to give market access to other countries. The Indian industry always seeks protection, he said, adding, “Then how will we do FTA with the UK and with the European Union (EU)?” The industry states that “do not give duty concessions in India, but allow us to export at zero duty to the UK, and the EU. Is this the way FTA happens? What is the cooperation from your side?” he asked.
“When I appeal to you to buy goods made by Indian firms, you (industry) say you save money from importing,” he said, adding that the industry does not think about India’s forex reserves as if it is the only responsibility of the government and the Reserve Bank of India.
“I think you make up your mind,” Goyal said.
He also said the industry participation in government’s meetings are low “so you tell me, how we will bring changes,” Goyal asked.
Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) is one of the major trade partners of India, with a share of 11 per cent in the country’s global trade.
The bilateral trade stood at USD 122.67 billion in 2023-24.
Members of the Asean include Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
In general, such review exercises include implementation issues, rules of origin; verification process and release of consignments; customs procedures; further liberalisation of trade in goods; and sharing and exchange of trade data.
The India-Korea agreement, dubbed as comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA), was operationalised in January 2010.
India has sought greater market access for certain products like steel, rice, and shrimp from South Korea to boost exports of these goods. India has flagged issues over Korean firms not buying Indian steel.
India has also raised concerns about the growing trade deficit between the two countries. India’s exports to Korea dipped to USD 6.41 billion in 2023-24 from USD 6.65 billion in 2022-23 and USD 8 billion in 2021-22.
India and Japan had implemented the CEPA in August 2011.
Goyal added that the Modi government signed four free-trade pacts (Australia, Mauritius, EFTA, and the UAE) after holding a series of consultations with stakeholders.
“I am happy to do more FTAs and the industry can guide us on that. FTA is a two- way traffic. I would urge your cooperation to do move faster on FTAs and QCOs (quality control orders),” he said.
The minister also urged the industry to come forward and support the startups in funding so that they do not have to sell their ideas for “few” dollars.
“Why do we have to sell out cheap at very low valuation, the ideas of young boys and girls… I would urge all of you to please be forthcoming and support the startups and MSMEs,” Goyal said.