India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) member states (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland) last week held discussions to resume negotiations for a Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement that was abandoned in 2013 after five years of negotiations. Swiss State Secretary for Economic Affairs Helene Budliger Artieda — who led the delegation to India — in an email interview with Asit Ranjan Mishra, says both sides need to acknowledge the change in geopolitical circumstances while restarting negotiations. Excerpts:
India and EFTA recently discussed the resumption of trade talks. Have both sides formally agreed to start negotiations? What are the