(a) whether the European Union is demanding duty cuts in automobiles, tax reduction in wines and spirits and dairy products in order to accept the proposed Free Trade Agreement;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the reaction of the Government thereto;
(c) whether the Government has adequately pitched the need for liberalised visa norms for Indian professionals; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)
(a) to (d) The Government of India is presently negotiating a bilateral Board Based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA) with the European Union (EU), covering a number of tracks ranging from Trade in Goods to Services including automobiles, wines & spirits, dairy products, etc. So far fifteen rounds of negotiations have been held, the last being in May 2013 in New Delhi. Since, then EU has largely disengaged from the negotiation.