1.   

India-EU bilateral trade may touch $ 200 billion: Joao Cravinho

The bilateral trade between India and European Union may touch $ 200 billion over the next 4-5 years and it is likely to go up to $ 130 billion in the current year, according to a top EU diplomat. Joao Cravinho, Ambassador, Delegation of the EU to India, also opined that some of the issues with regard to the proposed Free Trade Agreement between the two parties may turn positive before the end of the UPA government's present term.

2.   

India agrees for FTA with Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia

India today agreed to initiate an exercise for a free trade agreement between New Delhi and the customs union of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia to enhance economic ties. "The sides agreed to work towards the creation of a Joint Study Group for studying the possibility of signing a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) between India and the Customs Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia," a joint statement said.

3.   

India, Russia hail BRICS role in boosting world economy

India and Russia today noted the enhanced role played by BRICS nations as part of global efforts for a strong, sustainable and growing world economy and also acknowledged the contribution of the SCO group for ensuring peace and development in Eurasia. Both nations were positive on the outcome of the BRICS Summit in South Africa held in March and noted the increased role which BRICS played in the efforts of the international community aimed at bringing the world economy to the path of strong, sustainable and balanced growth, according to a joint statement issued after talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

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India, Asean expected to sign FTA by December

India and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN are expected to sign their free-trade agreement (FTA) in services and investment by December and operationalise the ambitious pact by July 2014, a senior Indian foreign ministry official said on Monday as he urged increased connectivity between Asia’s third-largest economy and the high-growth economic bloc.