Commerce Minister Seeks Industry Views on FTAs as India Revamps Global Trade Strategy
By Vizzve Finacr | Indexed on Google in 33 minutes | Trending under “India FTA policy 2025” – July 1, 2025
India’s Commerce and Industry Minister has reached out to businesses and export bodies across sectors to solicit feedback on ongoing and upcoming Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), amid a broader rethink of the country’s global trade strategy.
The move signals a more inclusive approach to trade policymaking, as India negotiates FTAs with the UK, European Union, and Gulf countries, while reviewing existing agreements with ASEAN and others.
🗣️ What the Government Is Asking
The Ministry is particularly keen on:
Understanding sector-wise concerns related to market access, tariff barriers, and rules of origin.
Assessing non-tariff barriers and compliance costs for MSMEs and exporters.
Collecting feedback on the impact of FTAs on domestic manufacturing and job creation.
A formal circular has been sent to industry associations including FICCI, CII, ASSOCHAM, and key export promotion councils.
🔍 Key FTAs in Focus
🇬🇧 India–UK FTA: Negotiations are in the final stages.
🇪🇺 India–EU Trade Pact: Talks revived with complex clauses on sustainability and data localization.
🌍 GCC Agreement: A potential game-changer for Indian exports to UAE, Saudi Arabia, and others.
🇯🇵 🇰🇷 Existing FTAs: Under review for utilization rate, inverted duty structures, and compliance impact.
🏭 Industry Reaction So Far
Initial responses suggest:
Support for greater tariff concessions on Indian textiles, pharma, auto parts, and electronics.
Concerns over FTAs flooding domestic markets with cheaper imports, especially from ASEAN.
Demand for better safeguards and sunset clauses for sensitive sectors like agriculture and dairy.
“India must balance global ambition with domestic interest,” said a CII official who participated in the initial feedback round.
📊 What's Next?
The Ministry will consolidate industry feedback over the next 4–6 weeks and use it to fine-tune negotiation strategies ahead of the WTO Ministerial in 2026 and Bilateral Trade Summits later this year.
📢 Vizzve Finacr Insight
This blog was published by Vizzve Finacr, indexed on Google in just 33 minutes, and is trending under “India FTA policy 2025” and “Commerce Ministry consultation.”
Our economic policy team continues to track trade reforms, fiscal moves, and global dealmaking that directly impact India's growth story and investment sentiment.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
📌 Why is the Commerce Minister seeking feedback on FTAs?
Answer: To ensure India’s Free Trade Agreements are aligned with domestic industry needs, reduce trade imbalances, and support strategic sectors like manufacturing and exports.
📌 Which FTAs are under negotiation?
Answer: India is currently negotiating FTAs with the UK, EU, and GCC countries, while reviewing its agreements with ASEAN, Japan, and South Korea.
📌 What kind of industry feedback is being requested?
Answer: Inputs on tariff preferences, non-tariff barriers, compliance burden, and sector-specific concerns such as import flooding or market access limitations.
📌 Is this blog trending or fast indexed?
Answer: Yes. Published by Vizzve Finacr, this blog was indexed in 33 minutes and is currently trending under "India trade policy 2025" and "FTA feedback India."
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Reported by Benny on July 1, 2025.
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