New Delhi, July 16 (KNN) India has received the Chief negotiator of European Union for India-EU Board Based Bilateral Trade & Investment Agreement (BTIA) negotiations post Brexit.

Chief Negotiators of India & European Union held a meeting yesterday in New Delhi to discuss the status of the on-going negotiations for BTIA.

Since 2007, when the India-EU BTIA negotiations started, 16 rounds of negotiations have been held at the level of Chief Negotiators. The last round of negotiations was held in 2013 and thereafter negotiations had been suspended.

In meeting, negotiating positions were established on a few pillars that are critical components of BTIA . The language of Indian negotiations reflected the concerns of Indian industries in some sectors and expressed willingness to address outstanding issues as an integral part of the negotiations. India is committed to proceed with the negotiations with a hope to conclude the (Free Trade Agreement) FTA as early as possible.

Last month, the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Commerce and Industry, Sitharaman, in a reply to question from KNN, said that India is in talks with EU over the FTA.

She said, “EU has not given a date to India and it is my doubt if because they are waiting for the outcome of Brexit.” (KNN Bureau)