(a) whether the Government has received the report of Indo-Japan Study Group on the bilateral trade;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has considered the report; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
(a) whether the Government has received the report of Indo-Japan Study Group on the bilateral trade;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has considered the report; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
(SHRI JAIRAM RAMESH)
(a) & (b) Yes, Sir. The Joint Study Group (JSG) has recommended that the
Government of Japan and India launch an inter-governmental negotiation to develop
an Economic partnership Agreement (EPA)/comprehensive Economic partnership Agreement
(CEPA), within a reasonable period of time. The JSG also recommended that
negotiations on the proposed EPA/CEPA be conducted in a specially-constituted Joint
task force, or another mutually agreed suitable mechanism, consisting of government
officials.
(c) & (d) The report of the JSG was considered by the Government and the constitution
of Joint Task Force to negotiate EPA/CEPA with Japan was approved. The first meeting
of India-Japan Joint Task Force was held during January 31 – February 2, 2007 in New
Delhi.