Question : Reviewing Decision on RCEP

(a) whether the Government attended but decided to withdraw from the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP);
(b) if so, the reasons for such withdrawal and time taken to get out of the RCEP negotiations;
(c) whether the Government is likely to review its decision and if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether the Government has any pressure from any outside country to sign the agreement and if so, the details thereof;
(e) the details of the issues raised for not signing the RCEP and whether any assurance was given by the member countries to resolve the issues raised by India; and
(f) if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
(SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a) to (f): During the 3rd RCEP Leaders Summit which was held on 4 November, 2019 in Bangkok, India stated that the current structure of RCEP did not reflect the RCEP Guiding Principles or address the outstanding issues and concerns of India, in the light of which India did not join RCEP. While RCEP was intended to provide mutually beneficial outcomes for RCEP countries including India, the current structure did not adequately address ambition and concerns of India’s stakeholders.
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