Page 3 - Latest Updates on RCEP
India, RCEP and economic theory
As things stand, the RCEP is dead in the water without India and can not last as an effective trading bloc
 "India, RCEP and economic theory")
Best of BS Opinion: Budgeting in unusual times, end of a 'holy warrior'
Here's a selection of Business Standard opinion pieces for the day
 "Best of BS Opinion: Budgeting in unusual times, end of a 'holy warrior'")
Unrealistic to expect manufacturing to be 25% of India's GDP, even by 2030
The decision to stay out of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership has the potential to become in the long term one of the Modi govt's major blunders. T N Ninan explains why
India pulled out of RCEP as concerns not addressed: EAM S Jaishankar
India pulled out of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) last year as joining it would have resulted in fairly negative consequences for the country's economy, Jaishankar said
 "India pulled out of RCEP as concerns not addressed: EAM S Jaishankar")
Jaishankar speaking language of 70s by railing against FTAs: Chidambaram
'I must express my dismay over the speech by foreign minister... when he railed against trade agreements and praised the virtues of protectionism,' Chidambaram says
 "Jaishankar speaking language of 70s by railing against FTAs: Chidambaram")
RCEP with China, minus India: Is the trade deal a threat or opportunity?
In this podcast, Business Standard's Subhomoy Bhattacharjee explains what is RCEP, how will it benefit member nations, why did India pull out of RCEP and more
 "RCEP with China, minus India: Is the trade deal a threat or opportunity?")
Best of BS Opinion: India's economic self-harm, LAC disengagement and more
Here are the best of BS Opinions of the day
 "Best of BS Opinion: India's economic self-harm, LAC disengagement and more")
RCEP decoded: Why India chose to stay out of Asia's mega free trade pact
Indian business community felt it would be swamped by imports with low duties, which it would not be able to compete with. The govt decided that it cannot afford to take the chance
 "RCEP decoded: Why India chose to stay out of Asia's mega free trade pact")
Radical reformer
Book review of The Iconoclast: Shinzo Abe and the New Japan
 "Radical reformer")
Economic self-harm
Self-reliance cannot be a superior alternative to open trade
 "Economic self-harm")
As world signs mega FTAs, India simply can't afford to turn protectionist
If India misses out on attracting some of the new global trading infrastructure, it could be locked out of several years of growth
 "As world signs mega FTAs, India simply can't afford to turn protectionist")
Mega free trade agreement likely to be a closed chapter for India
Examining instead Japan-India-Australia Supply Chain Resilience Initiative for free, transparent trade and investment
15 Asian nations sign world's largest trade agreement backed by China
The RCEP was signed after eight years of negotiations at the conclusion of annual summit of Southeast Asian leaders and their regional partners, held virtually this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic
 "15 Asian nations sign world's largest trade agreement backed by China")
RCEP signatories ready for talks once India gives written request to join
Countries that have signed the RCEP agreement can start negotiations with India for joining the pact once New Delhi submits a written request stating its intention for the same
 "RCEP signatories ready for talks once India gives written request to join")
China, 14 Asia-Pacific nations set to sign world's biggest FTA
15 nations seek to announce the agreement by the end of this week's Asean Summit, which Vietnam is hosting virtually
 "China, 14 Asia-Pacific nations set to sign world's biggest FTA")
ASEAN leaders to sign China-backed trade deal amid US election uncertainty
China is already the biggest source of imports and destination for exports for would-be RCEP members
 "ASEAN leaders to sign China-backed trade deal amid US election uncertainty")
The trade push
India should focus on exports for growth
 "The trade push")
Policy influencers: How SJM, CAIT have impacted Modi's economic road map
The SJM lobbied vigorously against the RCEP that culminated in an 11-day national protest in October 2019
 "Policy influencers: How SJM, CAIT have impacted Modi's economic road map")
Exercise caution on the proposed trade pact with US: Experts to govt
Govt had earlier criticised free trade deals for boosting cheap imports into the country
 "Exercise caution on the proposed trade pact with US: Experts to govt")
Self-reliance and supply chains
India needs to focus on manufacturing competitiveness, rather than building domestic supply chains in their entirety
 "Self-reliance and supply chains")
