India’s Trade Negotiations: Labor Standards in FTAs with EU and UK

India is facing pressure from trade partners like the EU and the UK to include labor standards in its Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), prompting serious consideration of these issues. The country has made progress in formulating FTAs with the UK, Oman, Australia, and the EU, which involve duty cuts on specific products like agricultural goods. The government is expected to take a defensive stance on agricultural exports as it navigates these trade negotiations.

The outcome of the UK FTA is closely tied to the upcoming UK elections, adding another layer of complexity to the process. Meanwhile, discussions on the EU FTA are currently at a mid-point, presenting both challenges and opportunities for India. The government will need to carefully navigate these agreements to protect the interests of its agricultural sector while also meeting the demands of its trade partners.

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