(a) whether India and China have agreed to take steps towards securing original
trading agreements between the two countries;
(b) if so, whether joint study group headed by Finance Ministry including top
representatives from Indian industry has taken positive steps towards initiatives of
Free Trade Agreement with China;
(c) whether any survey of some companies is involved in trade with China; and
(d) if so, whether any agreement to improve trade between India and China has been
signed?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
(SHRI JAIRAM RAMESH)
(a) & (b) An India-China Joint Study Group was set up in pursuance to the
declaration signed during the visit of the Prime Minister to Beijing in June
2003. The Joint Study Group has recommended that the two Governments
appoint a Joint Task Force to study in detail the feasibility of, and the
benefits that may derive from the possible China-India Regional Trading
Arrangement and also give its recommendations regarding its content. In
pursuance to the recommendations of the JSG a Joint Task Force has been
set up. Three meetings of this Joint Task Force have taken place so far.
(c) & (d) The Government has not done any survey of companies. However,a
number of agreements/MOUs in the field of economy/Trade have been
signed between India and China in the last few years.