India-Thailand FTA likely by June-end: Nath

The free trade agreement between India and Thailand is likely to be signed by June-end. Both the countries had signed a framework agreement for establishing a free trade area in 2003 as a consequence of which tariffs were brought down in 82 items of common export interest from September 2004.

"The last meeting of the trade negotiation committees of the two countries will be held in May, after which, we will sign the free-trade agreement," said Commerce Minister Kamal Nath, after a bilateral meeting with his Thai counterpart Krirk-krai Jirapet here.

According to commerce ministry officials, both the countries are negotiating to open up around 4,200 tariff lines.