New Delhi [India], December 14 (ANI): European Free Trade Association member countries and India are making “progress” on an agreement on free trade, with officials saying that the two sides have “never been closer” to a pact. In exclusive interviews with ANI on Wednesday, Norwegian Trade Minister Jan Christian Vestre and Swiss State Secretary for Economic Affairs Helene Budliger Artieda, commended growing ties between India and EFTA member countries.
However, they refused to comment on the deadline for the finalisation of talks on free trade. The European Free Trade Association is a trade organisation and free trade area consisting of four European states- Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
The two officials were on a visit to India to hold a discussion with the Indian government on a trade pact between New Delhi and the four nations. EFTA and India began talking about a Free Trade Agreement 15 years ago, and despite 20 rounds of negotiations, they have not yet been closed.
Norway Trade Minister Vestre informed that he is happy with the progress on the free trade agreement between India and four European countries. Though both ministers refrained from mentioning any deadline for the pact, they said both sides are positive and they are hoping that the agreement will be finalised “soon.”
This is the third visit of Vestre to India in 2023 and the seventh for Artieda. Without giving details about sticking points in negotiations, the Minister said, “We have been negotiating on a potential free trade agreement for the last 15 years. We have made quite some efforts this year. This is my third visit to India this year. And I’m very happy to see that we are also progressing now. We will move forward. We have resolved a lot of issues. There are some remaining issues. But I’m still optimistic that there might be opportunities for us to enter into such an agreement, which will be beneficial for both sides.”
Vestre held meetings with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal during his stay.
Helene Budliger Artieda, meanwhile, said that the two sides “have never been closer” to a pact on trade. “It’s been ongoing for 15 years. And I think we’re now in the position where the five countries are motivated to dedicate time and resources. I’ve been to India seven times this year. I think that that represents intention and positive discoveries… we can say that it’s an ongoing negotiation, but I think we’ve never been closer (to an agreement) during this last 15 years,” the Minister mentioned.
When asked about India’s role amid the current geopolitical situation, Artieda said: “Geopolitics are changing our world more rapidly. So I think it’s geopolitics outside, but we’re also now all of a sudden waking up to a world in poly crisis.”
“On the increase, we’re seeing that less than 50 percent of people actually live in non-democratic countries. So that’s that’s, that’s a big concern. And I think India has what it takes to be the lighthouse for democracy,” she said. Meanwhile, Vestre talked about the “successful” G20 presidency, saying India showcased its stand and how India would like to connect with like-minded partners, friends and allies all around the world.
“I think India has an extremely important role to play, and again, we talked about the green transition. I mean, this matters because it represents 1.4 million people, one of the biggest economies in the world, and I think India is now in fifth place when you look into the GDPs, so when India moves, the world starts moving,” he said. (ANI)
“The dynamics are very positive”: Swiss Secretary on FTA with India
New Delhi [India], December 14 (ANI): The dynamics of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations between India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) is very positive, with both sides in a position where they weren’t closer before, Switzerland State Secretary for Economic Affairs, Helene Budliger Artieda said on Wednesday. She also praised the role of India as an emerging market as well as a Democracy and affirmed that New Delhi can be the “Lighthouse of Democracy” amid a series of conflicts across the globe.
Speaking to ANI, Artieda said, “The negotiations are ongoing…you never talk about ongoing negotiations. What I can just tell you is that I feel that the dynamics are very positive. It’s been ongoing for 15 years and I think we’re now in the position where the five countries are really motivated to dedicate time and resources”. “In the end…the ink needs to dry underneath the document and then we can say we’ve achieved it and until then it’s an ongoing negotiation. But I think we’ve never been closer during these 15 years,” she added. The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) is a regional trade organisation of four countries — Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland — that aims to promote free trade and economic integration
The Swiss Secretary added that the two countries are focussing on making sure that it’s a balanced and fair agreement and the sensitivities of all countries are respected in the negotiations. On being asked if there is a deadline towards finalising this FTA, Artieda said, “No, there is no deadline because of these negotiations. I think maybe the greater audience has difficulty grasping how technical they are. You look at different chapters and some of them…so these are not linear conversations where you say let’s start at A and then we go B, C, D. This is really, truly a complex negotiation,” she further said.
She also praised the potential of Indian markets, stating that it is going to be the next big thing in terms of market, innovation and research and development (R&D), adding that around 300 Swiss companies are currently operating in generating around 2,00,000 well-paid jobs.
Speaking on India-Switzerland ties, she stated that both countries share 75 years-old friendship and New Delhi can very well be the “Lighthouse of Democracy” amid a series of global conflicts. “India and Switzerland actually unites a friendship for 75 years. We were among the first to sign a friendship agreement with India…I would underline that for us friendship actually also has great value. And I say I feel very honoured because I get that same sense of friendship and respect from Minister Piyush Goyal,” Artieda said.
She added, “We are seeing conflicts everywhere on the increase. We are seeing that less than 50 per cent of people actually live in non-democratic countries and I think India absolutely has what it takes to be that lighthouse for democracy”. (ANI)
