What is RCEP

"Had India joined RCEP, the situation could have worsened drastically, as it would face zero-tariff imports from China, risking further imbalance," GTRI said

In 2019, India decided to not join the bloc, on the grounds that the deal would hurt its farmers, businesses, workers and consumers

While India's growth over the past decades has appeared impressive, the contribution of trade to that acceleration has been small and is decreasing

Besides the argument that India must re-evaluate its approach to trade pacts, including the RCEP, other in-progress deals like those with the EU and the UK, must be the targets for political attention

For developing countries like India, policy decisions must be rooted in real-world data and a thorough understanding of the long-term implications, it said

The shifting sands of the South Asian trade landscape may be worthy of some serious reflection for India's regional trade strategy

Despite its benefits to global prosperity, the WTO may be on its last legs, unless something changes dramatically

At Business Standard Manthan, Piyush Goyal added that in America and Europe, there are still high duties for several products

We are not against foreign trade, and neither are we against agreements. But we need to ensure that whatever agreements we sign with other countries are in the best interests of our country, he said

India is worried because of Bangladesh's greater dependence on China for imports as compared to India and fears it can become an issue if Bangladesh joins RCEP

However, that Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are veering towards the RCEP compounds an already complex situation for India

Dr Kao said joining the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) would benefit India as the agreement would provide greater market access

He asked Chinese Vice Trade Minister, Wang Shouwen, whether China regretted that India did not join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)

'We are very big in wood logs, which is among the single biggest items of export to India'

There is no meeting ground between politics which is looking at the elections this year, and economics, which is looking at the next decade

India to wait for final contours before formally associating with IPEF trade pillar, says Goyal

Asserts Indian exports not impacted by GSP, says India looking to have very contemporary and modern digital laws, while maintaining high levels of data privacy

Policies are moving in the right direction, but vulnerabilities remain

India should review its position on RCEP

PM Modi's government looks at a trade deal very seriously, examining its potential for the next 50 years, says Goyal