India draws up red lines on Asia free trade pact before key meeting

India is under increasing pressure to complete negotiations and decide on whether it will be part of RCEP.

India is drawing up a list of ‘must haves’ to enable it to move ahead with a pan-Asian free trade agreement, as pressure mounts on the South Asian nation to conclude discussions to finalise the pact before end of the year, a senior government official said.

Trade ministry officials in New Delhi met late into the night on Thursday to discuss India’s demands and the concessions it’s prepared to offer, the official said, asking not to be identified because they are not authorized to speak to the media.

India is under increasing pressure to complete negotiations and decide on whether