Any agreement on RCEP deal to be based on national interests: Piyush Goyal

Goyal says free trade pact can't be held hostage by one or two domestic industries

Any agreement on the proposed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) deal would be based on national interests, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Wednesday. He, however, warned that while the government would strive to protect the interests of a majority of industries, the overall discussion could not be hijacked by one or two sectors. 

“As long as India's domestic industry and our national interests are protected, the faster it (the RCEP) is done, the better for India,” Goyal said. “Any agreement that India finalises will ensure that indiscriminate imports don't come in, while major opportunities for exports and job