Indian trade pacts must lower tariff on alcoholic drinks: Think tank

Such beverages will be 'key issue' in discussions as country seeks access to large markets, says ICRIER report.

India cannot sign trade agreements with large export markets without reducing tariffs on alcoholic beverages, according to a report by think tank Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER).

India, to gain market access for, must offer phased tariff liberalisation in high-growth areas such as wine, said the report titled 'Liberalisation of Wine Trade under the India-Australia CECA' by Arpita Mukherjee and Drishti Vishwanath.

“Alcoholic beverages will be a key sector in the discussions although products may vary–for example, whiskey for the UK and wines for EU and Australia. Given that imports are only one per cent of domestic consumption