At a time when India is negotiating ambitious trade deals with the United Kingdom, Australia and the European Union (EU), it seeks to signal an image makeover by signing a free-trade agreement (FTA) with the UAE in a record 88 days.
India had abandoned the China-backed Asian trade bloc Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and EU Bilateral Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA). This came after years of negotiations had raised doubts about India’s appetite for any trade deal.
Experts said while India is putting across a clear message that it is keen to do trade deals now, negotiating pacts with developed nations,