Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Determinants and Impediments of the EU-India Bilateral Trade and Investment Agreement: The Proof of This Old Pudding Is in the Eating

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
EU-India Relations

Part of the book series: Contributions to International Relations ((CIR))

Abstract

This chapter traces the origins and the negotiations of the EU-India Bilateral Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA), which has been under discussion since the mid-2000s. It argues that the exceedingly long duration of the trade talks can be attributed to the European Union’s limited external competences and India’s idiosyncratic trade policy agenda. Unlike the governments of most nation states, the European Union has exclusive competences for international trade, but has struggled in recent years to meaningfully link trade policy with other strategic objectives. India’s drive for regional trade agreements (RTAs) involves a mix of foreign policy objectives and export interests that are largely defined by the government. This chapter examines how these divergent preferences developed and shaped the course of the negotiations for a BTIA between the EU and India. It identifies three distinct phases of negotiations: the inception, during which an outcome seemed within reach (2005–2010), a period during which negotiations ground to a halt and were suspended (2010–2013), and an ongoing limbo phase, during which some progress has been made but compromise is still not within reach (2013–2020). It concludes with an outlook on the implications of greater strategic cooperation between the EU and India for a successful conclusion to the BTIA negotiations.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Notes

  1. 1.

    For an up to date insight into the bilateral economic relations also see Sangeeta Khorana’s chapter in this volume.

  2. 2.

    See, for example, the Joint Statement from the EU-India Summit on 6 October 2017, which promised to “to re-engage actively towards timely relaunching negotiations [sic] for a comprehensive and mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement” (European Commission 2017).

  3. 3.

    India had been one of the founding signatories of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) in 1947. According to the WTO’s Regional Trade Agreements Database, the only other trade agreements India signed under GATT Article XXIV until the late 1990 s were with Bhutan in 1949, Nepal in 1950, the United Nations (UN)-led Asia Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA) in 1975 and the SAARC Preferential Trading Arrangement (SAPTA) in 1993. India was also a signatory of the Global System of Trade Preferences amongst Developing Countries (GSTP) in 1988 under the GATT’s enabling clause. All of these agreements are shallow by contemporary standards and liberalised only a limited number of tariff lines.

  4. 4.

    The India-MERCOSUR agreement only came into force in June 2009.

  5. 5.

    Muchkund Dubey (former Indian Foreign Secretary) in discussion with the author, 27 March 2017.

  6. 6.

    Leela K. Ponappa (former Indian Ambassador to Sri Lanka and Deputy National Security Advisor) in discussion with the author, 21 April 2017.

  7. 7.

    Former advisor to the Indian Prime Minister (de-identified) in discussion with the author, 1 December 2014; BIST-EC was later renamed BIMSTEC and now also includes Myanmar, Nepal and Bhutan.

  8. 8.

    Former member of the Planning Commission (de-identified) in discussion with the author, 27 May 2013.

  9. 9.

    Address by Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Prime Minister of India, Tenth SAARC Summit, Colombo, 29 July 1998.

  10. 10.

    Leela K Ponappa (former Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka and Deputy National Security Advisor) in discussion with the author, 21 April 2017.

  11. 11.

    In July 1998, all members of SAARC, except for Pakistan and Sri Lanka, were classified as Least Developed Countries (LDCs) by the United Nations.

  12. 12.

    Former Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka (de-identified) in discussion with the author, 13 November 2015.

  13. 13.

    SAFTA entered into force in 2006.

  14. 14.

    India later successfully campaigned to include Afghanistan in SAARC and SAFTA.

  15. 15.

    South Africa had been seeking trade agreements with India (and other large developing countries) as early as February 2000, amidst rumours that this would serve as a negotiating device to create outside options and therefore leverage during negotiations for a trade agreement with the European Union, and also for multilateral trade negotiations (Reuters 2000; The Hindu 2000).

  16. 16.

    In the case of SACU, tentative discussions started with South Africa in July 2001 and were only later expanded to include other SACU members; former Ambassador of India to the WTO (de-identified) in discussion with the author, 10 December 2014.

  17. 17.

    Former member of the Indian Planning Commission (de-identified) in discussion with the author, 27 May 2013.

  18. 18.

    Nagesh Kumar (former Director-General of RIS) in discussion with the author, 5 December 2014.

  19. 19.

    Former Indian Minister of External Affairs (de-identified) in discussion with the author, 10 September 2015.

  20. 20.

    Keynote Address by Goh Chok Tong at the Singapore Conference, London, 15 March 2005, https://www.mci.gov.sg/pressroom/news-and-stories/pressroom/2005/3/singapore-is-the-global-city-of-opportunity?page=206; for ASEAN counterbalancing strategies cf. Storey (2000).

  21. 21.

    Former Ambassador of India to the WTO (de-identified) in discussion with the author, 10 December 2014.

  22. 22.

    The exception to this is the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), which was an early advocate of bilateral trade agreements for market access, in particular for textiles (Press Trust of India 2002; The Hindu Business Line 2002).

  23. 23.

    Although the EU did not enter into any new RTAs between 1999 and 2007, it did conclude bilateral negotiations that were started before the moratorium with Mexico (July 2000), South Africa (January 2000), the Caribbean Forum (CARIFORUM) (2003), Tunisia (1998), Morocco (2000), Israel (2000), Jordan (2002), Lebanon (2003), Egypt (2004), and Algeria (2005).

  24. 24.

    The Global Europe Strategy emerged at least in part due to a political pressure campaign from business groups, in particular by the European business association Union des Industries de la Communauté Européenne (UNICE) and the European Services Forum (ESF) (cf. Corporate Europe Observatory 2008).

  25. 25.

    Even though the 2006 suspension of the multilateral Doha Round was mostly due to disagreements between the United States and India, the EU and India had in prior years frequently found themselves on opposite sides in multilateral negotiations, including on environmental and labour standards in trade, the so-called Singapore issues, agricultural subsidies, NAMA and TRIPS. Any bilateral negotiation on these issues would therefore be difficult from the outset.

  26. 26.

    Report of the EU-India High Level Trade Group to the EU-India Summit, 13 October 2006; the European Parliament during this time also voiced its support for a bilateral trade agreement (Financial Times 2006b).

  27. 27.

    This was behind the dismissal by key economic policy makers of a 2000 proposal by the Confederation of Indian Industry for a bilateral trade agreement between the EU and India (Press Trust of India 2000; The Hindu Business Line 2004).

  28. 28.

    The World Bank warned in December 2004 that India had a ‘penetrating interest’ for exports in business process outsourcing, services, textile and auto components, for which market access could best be achieved in multilateral negotiations (Press Trust of India 2004b).

  29. 29.

    The intra-industry trade for precious stones and gems is mostly related to cross-border value chains in jewellery manufacturing. This also corresponds to a September 2005 survey by the industry body ASSOCHAM, which found interest for an FTA with the EU from the Business Process Outsourcing and IT Industry, as well as amongst biotechnology and pharmaceutical firms (The Hindu Business Line 2005).

  30. 30.

    60–70% of Indian textile exports at this point were to the EU and US, and in the EU these faced duties from 4.5 to 13% (The Hindu Business Line 2007a; The Hindu 2007b).

  31. 31.

    Former Head of International Trade Policy at the Confederation of Indian Industry (de-identified) in discussion with the author, 9 December 2014.

  32. 32.

    This corresponds to the EU’s interpretation of the GATT requirement that RTAs free ‘substantially all trade’.

  33. 33.

    Report of the EU-India High Level Trade Group to the EU-India Summit, 13 October 2006, p. 8.

  34. 34.

    Ibid., p. 9.

  35. 35.

    As would soon become evident, whisky producers play an important role in the political economy of the UK. They are not only the third biggest industry in Scotland (behind energy and financial services), but are especially important for rural areas and would thus become a core UK demand for market access in the negotiations (The Guardian 2015).

  36. 36.

    Former Indian Minister of Commerce and Industry (de-identified) in discussion with the author, 3 September 2015.

  37. 37.

    Later in the year Patel also indicated willingness for concessions on luxury cars in exchange for market access for the export of small Indian cars to the EU (Press Trust of India 2012d).

  38. 38.

    The insurance bill was passed in 2015.

  39. 39.

    The ability to bid for public procurement remained a major prize for European companies, as it would allow them participation in India’s annual procurement market of USD 160 billion, in particular for the telecom, railways, energy, roads, industry and health sectors (with exceptions for national security and public order) (The Hindu Business Line 2013d).

  40. 40.

    While the ban was initially announced to last until December 2015, it was lifted in January 2015.

  41. 41.

    European Court of Justice Opinion 2/15 of the Court.

  42. 42.

    EU negotiator (de-identified) in discussion with the author, 13 March 2020.

  43. 43.

    Regarding scenarios for the future of EU-India cooperation, see Stefania Benaglia’s contribution in this volume.

References

  • All Africa. 2001. Free Trade Agreement on the Cards. All Africa, July 20.

    Google Scholar 

  • Batra, Amita. 2012. Regional economic integration in South Asia: Trapped in conflict?. Abingdon: Routledge.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • BBC. 2015. Ban on Indian mango imports to EU to be lifted. BBC, January 20.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blustein, Paul. 2009. Misadventures of the most favored nations: Clashing egos, inflated ambitions, and the great shambles of the world trade system. New York: Public Affairs.

    Google Scholar 

  • Corporate Europe Observatory. 2008. Global Europe: an open door policy for big business lobbyists at DG Trade. https://corporateeurope.org/sites/default/files/sites/default/files/files/resource/open_doors_report.pdf. Accessed 15 November 2019.

  • Corporate Europe Observatory. 2010. How big business is driving the EU-India free trade negotiations. https://corporateeurope.org/en/international-trade/2010/09/eu-india-trade-invaders-how-big-business-driving-eu-india-free-trade. Accessed 15 November 2019.

  • European Commission. 2004. Fifth India-EU Summit. The Hague, November 8, Joint Press Statement. https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/PRES_04_315. Accessed 15 November 2019.

  • European Commission. 2006. Global Europe: Competing in the world. COM (2006) 567, Brussels. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=COM:2006:0567:FIN:en:PDF. Accessed 15 November 2019.

  • European Commission. 2007. Consultation of Civil Society Organisations—Questionnaire on Free Trade Agreements with Countries of ASEAN, India and South Korea, Ukraine, The Andean Community and Central America. http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/html/133620.htm. Accessed 15 November 2019.

  • European Commission. 2017. Joint Statement 14th India-EU Summit, New Delhi, October 6. https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/STATEMENT_17_3743. Accessed 15 November 2019.

  • European Commission. 2019. Countries and regions, India, Trade picture. https://ec.europa.eu/trade/policy/countries-and-regions/countries/india. Accessed 15 November 2019.

  • European Parliament. 2009. Resolution of 26 March 2009 on an EU-India Free Trade Agreement (2008/2135(INI)). https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:52009IP0189&from=EN. Accessed 15 November 2019.

  • Financial Times. 2003a. India keen in pursuing regional trade pacts. Financial Times, October 15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Financial Times. 2003b. Doha round must be pushed forward. Financial Times, December 30.

    Google Scholar 

  • Financial Times. 2006a. Europe must catch up with US in courting India and China trade. Financial Times, September 20.

    Google Scholar 

  • Financial Times. 2006b. The way we live now. Financial Times, September 21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Financial Times. 2006c. India’s wine drinkers prepare to toast EU. Financial Times, November 18.

    Google Scholar 

  • Financial Times. 2007. Rights obstacle to EU-India trade pact. Financial Times, March 5.

    Google Scholar 

  • Financial Times. 2009. India warns EU on generic drugs seizure. Financial Times, August 7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Financial Times. 2010. Osborne urges India to break EU trade logjam. Financial Times, July 28.

    Google Scholar 

  • Financial Times. 2012. Europe’s carmakers hit out at India trade deal. Financial Times, January 29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Financial Times. 2013. India urges new push for EU trade talks. Financial Times, February 11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Financial Times. 2014. Diageo poised to take control of India’s United Spirits. Financial Times, June 20.

    Google Scholar 

  • Financial Times. 2015. Trade talks on hold as India attacks EU ban on generic drugs. Financial Times, August 6.

    Google Scholar 

  • Financial Times. 2016. India overhauls its investment treaty regime. Financial Times, July 15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoda, Anwarul, and Shravani Prakash. 2011. Is the GSP Scheme of the EU benefiting India’s exports? ICRIER Policy Series No. 6. Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations. http://icrier.org/pdf/Policy_Series_No_6.pdf. Accessed 23 September 2020.

  • Indian Ministry of External Affairs. 2004. 5th India-EU Summit, The Hague, November 8. https://mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl/7499/5th+IndiaEU+Summit+The+Hague++November+8+2004. Accessed 15 November 2020.

  • Mansfield, Edward, and Helen Milner. 1999. The new wave of regionalism. International Organization 53 (3): 589–627.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Narlikar, Amrita, and Diana Tussie. 2004. The G20 at the Cancun Ministerial: Developing countries and their evolving coalitions in the WTO. The World Economy 27 (7): 947–966.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nataraj, Geethanjali. 2016. Can the EU-India Free Trade Agreement be revived? Bruegel Blog Post. https://www.bruegel.org/2016/06/can-the-eu-india-free-trade-agreement-be-revived. Accessed 15 November 2019.

  • New York Times. 2000. Asian Leaders Cautious on Forging New Regional Partnerships. New York Times, November 27.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pant, Harsh V. 2012. India’s changing Afghanistan policy: Regional and global implications. Carlisle Barracks: Strategic Studies Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ponappa, Leela K. 2011. The crafting of the India-Sri Lanka free trade agreement. In Economic diplomacy: India’s experience, ed. Kishan S. Rana and Bipul Chatterjee, 177–187. Jaipur: CUTS International.

    Google Scholar 

  • Press Trust of India. 2000. India to explore possibility of Indo-EU Free Trade Area. Press Trust of India, June 16.

    Google Scholar 

  • Press Trust of India. 2002. India needs to tap Free Trade Agreements to boost exports. Press Trust of India, February 12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Press Trust of India. 2003. Talks on WTO issues unlikely at India-EU summit. Press Trust of India, November 26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Press Trust of India. 2004a. EU has open mind on FTA with India. Press Trust of India, June 22.

    Google Scholar 

  • Press Trust of India. 2004b. Be careful of Regional Trade Agreements: World Bank. Press Trust of India, December 8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Press Trust of India. 2006a. India, EU to start talks on Trade and Investment Agreement. Press Trust of India, October 13.

    Google Scholar 

  • Press Trust of India. 2006b. EU trade chief to seek nod on bilateral pact with India. Press Trust of India, November 19.

    Google Scholar 

  • Press Trust of India. 2007a. Trade agreement with the EU one of the easiest. Press Trust of India, January 23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Press Trust of India. 2007b. Visa rules for professionals to ease after India-EU FTA. Press Trust of India, February 16.

    Google Scholar 

  • Press Trust of India. 2007c. EU to use FTA to access Indian market for agri products. Press Trust of India, June 27.

    Google Scholar 

  • Press Trust of India. 2007d. India, EU talks on TIA next week. Press Trust of India, September 26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Press Trust of India. 2007e. India, EU to begin talks on trade agreement from October 1. Press Trust of India, September 29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Press Trust of India. 2007f. India, EU to begin talks on trade agreement from October 1. Press Trust of India, September 29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Press Trust of India. 2007g. India to seek removal of trade barriers to EU. Press Trust of India, September 30.

    Google Scholar 

  • Press Trust of India. 2007h. India willing to show flexibility in Doha Round. Press Trust of India, November 26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Press Trust of India. 2007i. Suggestions mooted for items in negative list for Indo-EU FTA. Press Trust of India, November 27.

    Google Scholar 

  • Press Trust of India. 2007j. Keen to ink a trade pact with EU by 2008-end. Press Trust of India, November 29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Press Trust of India. 2007k. India and the 27-nation European Union have been negotiating the ambitious broad-based trade and investment free trade agreement since October last year and have set a deadline of 2008-end. Press Trust of India, December 12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Press Trust of India. 2008a. Talks on India-EU trade pact hit roadblocks. The Press Trust of India, January 29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Press Trust of India. 2008b. India-EU free trade pact talks slackening. Press Trust of India, July 15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Press Trust of India. 2008c. India-EU trade agreement unlikely this year. Press Trust of India, September 11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Press Trust of India. 2009a. India wants removal of trade barriers in FTA with EU. Press Trust of India, March 16.

    Google Scholar 

  • Press Trust of India. 2009b. India seeks higher duty-free access to EU market. Press Trust of India, March 17.

    Google Scholar 

  • Press Trust of India. 2009c. EU for linking climate change, social disparity with India FTA. Press Trust of India, October 13.

    Google Scholar 

  • Press Trust of India. 2010a. India, EU working to sign labour mobility pact. Press Trust of India, June 23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Press Trust of India. 2010b. Trade pact can generate 2.5 million jobs in India. Press Trust of India, July 12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Press Trust of India. 2010c. India, EU review trade pact talks ahead of PM’ Brussels visit. Press Trust of India, November 29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Press Trust of India. 2010d. Generic medications under threat due to India-EU draft FT. Press Trust of India, December 11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Press Trust of India. 2011a. Britain to let in 20,000 Indians every year. Press Trust of India, February 20.

    Google Scholar 

  • Press Trust of India. 2011b. India, EU negotiators to meet in Kerala to resolve FTA issues. Press Trust of India, January 25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Press Trust of India. 2011c. PM panel to review India-EU free trade pact on Wednesday. Press Trust of India, April 4.

    Google Scholar 

  • Press Trust of India. 2011d. Govt to soon announce manufacturing policy. Press Trust of India, April 8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Press Trust of India. 2011e. India to protect auto industry in FTA with EU. Press Trust of India, May 21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Press Trust of India. 2011f. EU seeks huge duty cuts on auto, wines in its FTA with India. Press Trust of India, July 17.

    Google Scholar 

  • Press Trust of India. 2011g. India against inclusion of data exclusivity in any FTA. Press Trust of India, April 6.

    Google Scholar 

  • Press Trust of India. 2011h. India not for IPR beyond domestic law in FTA with EU. Press Trust of India, April 30.

    Google Scholar 

  • Press Trust of India. 2012a. SIAM flays move for more tax on diesel cars, duty cuts for EU. Press Trust of India, March 2.

    Google Scholar 

  • Press Trust of India. 2012b. Import duty cut to hinder domestic industry growth: Tata Motors. Press Trust of India, February 3.

    Google Scholar 

  • Press Trust of India. 2012c. Calibrated duty cut on cars from EU can be considered. Press Trust of India, June 3.

    Google Scholar 

  • Press Trust of India. 2012d. Patel hints at import duty concessions on luxury cars from EU. Press Trust of India, 26 November.

    Google Scholar 

  • Press Trust of India. 2013a. Investment protection pact in India-EU free trade agreement. Press Trust of India, 11 April.

    Google Scholar 

  • Press Trust of India. 2013b. We’ve closing window of opportunity to finalise talks. Press Trust of India, February 7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Press Trust of India. 2013c. India, EU need to operationalise political will for FTA. Press Trust of India, February 24.

    Google Scholar 

  • Press Trust of India. 2013d. BJP opposes FTA with EU. Press Trust of India, April 10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Press Trust of India. 2013e. Par panel asks govt to protect dairy sector under India-EU FTA. Press Trust of India, April 23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Press Trust of India. 2013f. Free trade agreement with EU to hit Indian dairy sector. Press Trust of India, July 30.

    Google Scholar 

  • Press Trust of India. 2013g. India, EU talks on FTA expected to make headway. Press Trust of India, April 15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Press Trust of India. 2013h. FTA: EU members willing to work out ‘balanced outcome’. Press Trust of India, April 29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Press Trust of India. 2014. EU-India FTA pact not to be finalised in near future. Press Trust of India, February 21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Press Trust of India. 2015a. Auto sector inclusion in India-EU FTA against ‘Make in India’. Press Trust of India, April 13.

    Google Scholar 

  • Press Trust of India. 2015b. Sitharaman-EU trade commissioner meeting next week on FTA. Press Trust of India, May 26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Press Trust of India. 2015c. India, EU likely to restart FTA talks on Aug 28. Press Trust of India, July 21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Press Trust of India. 2015d. India defers FTA talks with EU over ban of 700 pharma products. Press Trust of India, August 5.

    Google Scholar 

  • Press Trust of India. 2016a. India, EU officials to meet on Feb 22 in Brussels. Press Trust of India, February 16.

    Google Scholar 

  • Press Trust of India. 2016b. India, EU fail to make headway on FTA talks. Press Trust of India, March 31.

    Google Scholar 

  • Press Trust of India. 2016c. India, EU should hold talks only after substantial progress. Press Trust of India, April 26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Press Trust of India. 2016d. India to rework FTA with EU after Brexit. Press Trust of India, June 4.

    Google Scholar 

  • Press Trust of India. 2017a. India and EU should firm up FTA to offset concerns over OBOR. Press Trust of India, May 23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Press Trust of India. 2017b. India-EU FTA talks expected to move forward in next few days. Press Trust of India, October 6.

    Google Scholar 

  • Press Trust of India. 2017c. No decision on resumption of talks on India-EU FTA. Press Trust of India, October 9.

    Google Scholar 

  • Press Trust of India. 2018a. India-EU FTA negotiations likely to resume soon. Press Trust of India, March 26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Press Trust of India. 2018b. Inter-ministerial group to study E-commerce issues. Press Trust of India, April 13.

    Google Scholar 

  • Press Trust of India. 2019. India open for engagement with RCEP nations again if our concerns are addressed. Press Trust of India, November 5.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reuters. 2000. S. Africa, Brazil begin free trade talks. Reuters, March 2.

    Google Scholar 

  • Seshadri, Villur S. 2009. Evolution in India’s regional trading arrangements. Journal of World Trade 43 (5): 903–926.

    Google Scholar 

  • Storey, Ian James. 2000. Living with the Colossus: How Southeast Asian countries cope with China. Parameters 29 (4): 111–125.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stuenkel, Oliver. 2015. India-Brazil-South Africa Dialogue Forum (IBSA): The rise of the Global South?. Abingdon: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Economic Times. 2000. Free trade pacts no favourite of goverment’s Indrani Bagchi. The Economic Times, September 11.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Economic Times. 2012. Government introduces public procurement bill 2012 in Parliament. The Economic Times, May 15.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Economic Times. 2015a. Free-trade agreement with European Union: India may relax tariffs on spirits, auto parts. The Economic Times, March 19.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Economic Times. 2015b. Don’t Mix Talks on Drugs & Trade Pact: EU to India. The Economic Times, November 17.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Economic Times. 2015c. The coming trade storm: Tides are shifting, India must decide fast on a strategy to cope with post-TPP era. The Economic Times, November 21.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Economic Times. 2018. Germany Wary of India Hiking duty on auto parts. The Economic Times, February 14.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Guardian. 2015. Scotch whisky industry ‘bigger than UK iron and steel or computers’. The Guardian, January 27.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu. 2000. South Africa seeks to negotiate free trade pact with India. The Hindu, February 16.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu. 2006. India, EU to push for big trade, investment deal. The Hindu, October 14.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu. 2007a. Indo-EU pact a threat to fishing sector. The Hindu, August 31.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu. 2007b. Proposed FTA will benefit textile sector. The Hindu, November 29.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu. 2008. EU-India Free Trade Agreement hits roadblock. The Hindu, March 4.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu. 2009a. EU favours FTA with India. The Hindu, September 12.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu. 2009b. Lack of transparency and debate in India-EU free trade agreement. The Hindu, October 22.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu. 2009c. Let India-EU openly discuss child labour, environment. The Hindu, October 21.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu. 2010a. Free trade agreement talks with EU to be stepped up. The Hindu, March 5.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu. 2010b. FTA will hurt livelihoods in India, Europe. The Hindu, December 10.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu. 2010c. Non-trade issues not to hamper trade talks with EU. The Hindu, May 5.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu. 2011a. Manmohan to clear draft manufacturing policy soon. The Hindu, April 9.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu. 2011b. Logjam in India-EU FTA talks. The Hindu, November 17.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu. 2011c. India-EU FTA talks set to gather pace. The Hindu, November 19.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu. 2012. For a fair, free trade pact with Europe. The Hindu, February 9.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu. 2013a. Knitwear exporters upset over panel caution on signing trade pact with EU. The Hindu, April 13.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu. 2013b. Not insisting on patent extension, says EU. The Hindu, April 13.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu. 2015a. Go forward on India-EU talks. The Hindu, May 20.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu. 2015b. Foreign law firms will soon operate in India. The Hindu, June 30.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu. 2015c. India may drag EU to WTO if drugs ban is not lifted. The Hindu, August 7.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu. 2016a. India-EU free trade impasse may end: CII. The Hindu, April 11.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu. 2016b. India, EU aim to break FTA impasse. The Hindu, June 2.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu. 2016c. India, U.K. to start free trade talks. The Hindu, July 9.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu. 2017. Modi in Berlin today, says ‘new chapter’ in ties. The Hindu, May 29.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu. 2019. Talking trade with the EU. The Hindu, August 27.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu Business Line. 2000. Assocham wary of post-MFA garment exports. The Hindu Business Line, July 7.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu Business Line. 2002. CII, Europe body plan joint working group—To boost textile trade, remove barriers. The Hindu Business Line, November 18.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu Business Line. 2004. FICCI moots panel to study free trade pact with EU. The Hindu Business Line, June 29.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu Business Line. 2005. India Inc wants FTA in services with EU, says Assocham survey. The Hindu Business Line, September 6.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu Business Line. 2006. India-EU Bacchanalian cup runneth over. The Hindu Business Line, October 13.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu Business Line. 2007a. Work on to compile list of products for India-EU FTA. The Hindu Business Line, August 29.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu Business Line. 2007b. High-tech machines may be off sensitive list for India-EU trade. The Hindu Business Line, September 29.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu Business Line. 2008. FICCI for removal of trade barriers with EU. The Hindu Business Line, February 4.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu Business Line. 2009a, Protectionist policies of EU hitting Indian cos, says FICCI. The Hindu Business Line, August 3.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu Business Line. 2009b. EU expects progress in FTA talks next year. The Hindu Business Line, September 12.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu Business Line. 2009c. India, EU hope to close talks on FTA in a year. The Hindu Business Line, November 7.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu Business Line. 2009d. EU hopeful of free trade pact with India next year. The Hindu Business Line, 14 October.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu Business Line. 2009e. India-EU trade down 18% in first half. The Hindu Business Line, October 17.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu Business Line. 2010a. Weed out the differences. The Hindu Business Line, March 8.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu Business Line. 2010b. EU free trade pact with India wants to address social issues. The Hindu Business Line, March 5.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu Business Line. 2010c, India rejects EU demand on social clauses in trade pact. The Hindu Business Line, March 12.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu Business Line. 2010d. Free trade pact will not limit India making life-saving drugs. The Hindu Business Line, May 4.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu Business Line. 2010e. Garment exports in 2009–10 decline 2.64%. The Hindu Business Line, July 10.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu Business Line. 2010f. India against ‘TRIPs-plus’ clauses in bilateral trade pacts. The Hindu Business Line, August 17.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu Business Line. 2010g. Free trade pact with Malaysia likely by year-end, says Khullar. The Hindu Business Line, August 27.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu Business Line. 2010h. India-EU trade talks may be concluded by Dec. The Hindu Business Line, September 16.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu Business Line. 2010i. Retain imported car tariff structure post India-EU FTA. The Hindu Business Line, November 28.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu Business Line. 2010j. EU to push for auto duty cuts under free trade pact. The Hindu Business Line, October 13.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu Business Line. 2010k. Trade talks with EU to conclude by Spring 2011. The Hindu Business Line, December 10.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu Business Line. 2011a. Problems in trade talks with EU. The Hindu Business Line, February 18.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu Business Line. 2011b. EU’s pharma trade hoax. The Hindu Business Line, February 25.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu Business Line. 2011c. India, EU free trade pact not likely before next year. The Hindu Business Line, September 27.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu Business Line. 2011d. India can’t say ‘cheese’. The Hindu Business Line, February 11.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu Business Line. 2012a. Auto-makers’ body strongly opposes lower import duty on European cars. The Hindu Business Line, February 4.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu Business Line. 2012b. Import duty hike on luxury cars gives India a bargaining chip. The Hindu Business Line, March 20.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu Business Line. 2012c. EU wants testing requirements for car imports removed in FTA. The Hindu Business Line, April 27.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu Business Line. 2012d. EU, India hold talks on free trade pact ahead of summit. The Hindu Business Line, February 10.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu Business Line. 2012e. EU takes up India’s ‘protectionist’ measures with the Centre. The Hindu Business Line, June 22.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu Business Line. 2012f. Commitment to open retail trade not due to EU’s demand. The Hindu Business Line, June 26.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu Business Line. 2013a. EU waits for Budget sops to finalise free trade pact with India. The Hindu Business Line, January 24.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu Business Line. 2013b. Amul wants protection for dairy farmers. The Hindu Business Line, March 27.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu Business Line. 2013c. BJP demands House scrutiny. The Hindu Business Line, April 11.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu Business Line. 2013d. No trade pact without assurance on Govt procurements. The Hindu Business Line, June 20.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu Business Line. 2013e. India may offer compromise plan for insurance. The Hindu Business Line, August 8.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu Business Line. 2013f. EU not ready to give India ‘data secure’ status. The Hindu Business Line, June 16.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu Business Line. 2015a. India firm on resolution to GVK Bio’s drug issue before re-opening FTA talks with EU. The Hindu Business Line, October 19.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu Business Line. 2015b. India, EU agree to re-start talks on free trade pact early next year. The Hindu Business Line, November 23.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu Business Line. 2016a. Unfair Trade. The Hindu Business Line, February 6.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu Business Line. 2016b. Proposed work visa curbs by UK, new irritant for India-EU FTA talks. The Hindu Business Line, January 22.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu Business Line. 2016c. India offers EU compromise formula to break deadlock in trade talks. The Hindu Business Line, March 30.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu Business Line. 2016d. PM to raise FTA, pharma exports issue with EU. The Hindu Business Line, March 17.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu Business Line. 2016e. Germany pushes for investment protection pact under India-EU free trade agreement. The Hindu Business Line, September 21.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu Business Line. 2016f. EU wants to start talks with India on a bilateral investment treaty. The Hindu Business Line, November 17.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu Business Line. 2016g. EU wants ‘realistic prospect’ for resuming FTA talks. The Hindu Business Line, July 15.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu Business Line. 2017a. Why India should set store by its FTA with EU. The Hindu Business Line, June 14.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu Business Line. 2017b. Germany, UK will gain the most from an India-EU free trade deal. The Hindu Business Line, October 26.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu Business Line. 2017c. India, EU to take another shot at reviving FTA talks. The Hindu Business Line, November 9.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu Business Line. 2019a. EU-Vietnam FTA may see India’s seafood exports to bloc dry up. The Hindu Business Line, August 16.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Hindu Business Line. 2019b. EU’s free trade pacts hurting Indian apparel exports. The Hindu Business Line, September 25.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Telegraph. 2010. India trade deal with EU will allow thousands of immigrants into Britain. The Telegraph, October 8.

    Google Scholar 

  • VanGrasstek, Craig. 2013. The history and future of the World Trade Organization. Geneva: World Trade Organization.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Weerakoon, Dushni. 2010. The political economy of trade integration in South Asia: The role of India. The World Economy 33 (7): 916–927.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Woolcock, Stephen. 2003. The Singapore issues in Cancun: A failed negotiation ploy or a litmus test for global governance? Intereconomics 38 (5): 249–255.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Woolcock, Stephen. 2007. European Union policy towards free trade agreements. ECIPE working paper 03. European Centre for International Political Economy, Brussels. https://www.econstor.eu/handle/10419/174818. Accessed 23 September 2020.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. International Trade Intelligence, Paris, France

    Nicolas Köhler-Suzuki

Authors
  1. Nicolas Köhler-Suzuki
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nicolas Köhler-Suzuki .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Political Science and Sociology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany

    Philipp Gieg

  2. Institute of Political Science and Sociology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany

    Timo Lowinger

  3. Institute of Political Science and Sociology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany

    Manuel Pietzko

  4. Institute of Political Science and Sociology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany

    Anja Zürn

  5. Centre for European Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India

    Ummu Salma Bava

  6. Institute of Political Science and Sociology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany

    Gisela Müller-Brandeck-Bocquet

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2021 The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Köhler-Suzuki, N. (2021). Determinants and Impediments of the EU-India Bilateral Trade and Investment Agreement: The Proof of This Old Pudding Is in the Eating. In: Gieg, P., Lowinger, T., Pietzko, M., Zürn, A., Bava, U.S., Müller-Brandeck-Bocquet, G. (eds) EU-India Relations. Contributions to International Relations. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-65044-5_8

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation