To join 'trade' pillar under IPEF or not? Govt's final call soon

Currently, India has an 'observer' status as far as the trade pillar is concerned

The government will soon make a final decision on whether it wants to join the ‘trade’ pillar under the US-led Indo Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), people aware of the matter said.

The IPEF has four pillars — trade, supply chains, tax and anti-corruption, and clean energy. India has decided to join all the pillars, except trade. It is seen as an economic initiative to counter China’s influence in the South and Southeast Asian nations.

The commerce department has started extensive consultations with relevant stakeholders, ministries, and government departments before taking a final call on this.

The development comes soon after