EAEU, India to hold first round of talks on free trade agreement in Nov

MOSCOW. Sept 16 (Interfax) - The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and India have agreed to hold the first round of negotiations on a free trade agreement at the beginning of November, the Eurasian Economic Commission' (EEC) trade department reported.

The negotiations were discussed at a meeting in New Delhi on September 15 between EEC Trade Minister Andrei Slepnev and Indian Trade and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal.

The parties "noted the agreement of a roadmap intended to facilitate effective negotiations on free trade between the Eurasian Economic Union and India in an accelerated format," the department said in a press release.

"The parties also agreed on an approach where the first round of negotiations will be held at the beginning of November this year in India and will be devoted to considering key issues of the future deal," the release said.

The first round will be preceded by commission consultations with Indian partners and EAEU member countries.

The ministers agreed to maintain regular contacts at their level to provide comprehensive support for the negotiations, the press release said.

The decision to negotiate a free trade agreement with India was made by the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council on December 26, 2016.

In August, the EEC reported on a meeting between the leaders of the negotiating teams on the agreement. They approved the terms of reference for the future negotiations and discussed further steps to begin the negotiation process and organizational issues of the future trade deal, the EEC said at the time.