Los Angeles [US], September 10 (ANI): “We are in the process of firming up our own digital framework and laws, particularly regarding privacy and data. Therefore, India, while continuing to engage with the trade track in the IPEF, will wait for final contours to be decided before the formal association,” Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal mentioned on Saturday.
“In the meantime, our officials will be participating in the discussions with an open mind and in the best interests of the people of India and businesses in India,” Goyal mentioned whereas addressing a media briefing on Saturday after concluding the IPEC ministerial meet.
Speaking of India not becoming a member of the commerce pillar, one of many 4 pillars of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), Goyal mentioned that there are specific areas wherein a broader consensus is but to emerge.
“India has engaged very exhaustively in the various streams of discussion on 3 out of 4 pillars related to supply chains, tax and anti-corruption, and clean energy. One pillar that deals with trade, the contours of the framework on commitments required on the environment, labour, the digital trade and public procurement are certain areas in which a broader consensus is yet to emerge,” he added.
Goyal mentioned that the international locations that consider in truthful commerce got here collectively to work in the direction of long-term engagement in an open Indo-Pacific area.
“Fruitful discussions were held over the last four days to bring together a group of like-minded countries with shared interests. These principles of fair trade will help our economies, create jobs and bring prosperity to our people,” Union Minister added.
He complimented Secretary of Commerce Gina M Raimondo and United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai for making the IPEC a hit.
“They have been very supportive of India throughout the discussions and negotiations,” Goyal mentioned.
“I compliment all member countries for laying down the broad contours of the framework and future engagements in such a short span. It is a record of sorts. Such speed in multilateral engagements reflects the commitment of all the 14 countries.””This group of 14 countries will define the rules of trade amongst countries which believe in fair play and transparency, rules based trading in future,” he added.
Earlier as we speak, on the framework’s first in-person ministerial summit in Los Angeles, US commerce consultant Katherine Tai confirmed that India is not going to be becoming a member of the commerce pillar, one of many 4 pillars of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF).
“India is not now in the trade pillar of IPEF, Union Minister for Commerce Piyush Goyal and I have been talking a lot. We have our bilateral structure the Trade Policy Forum, which should be meeting by the end of this year again and we covered the same issues in that bilateral channel and minister we are very close touch,” Tai mentioned.
A high official mentioned that India stands for its unbiased commerce coverage and added that earlier than going forward with becoming a member of the commerce pillar of IPEF New Delhi will observe the professionals and cons of the binding commitments.
“There are some binding commitments that have been laid out by the United States and India is being cautious” the official mentioned, “India stands on its own feet, we have our own independent policy,” the official asserted.
Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal on Friday mentioned {that a} sturdy Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) is being proposed to be offered quickly in Parliament, and India will take its choices on completely different elements primarily based on the nationwide curiosity.
Goyal mentioned that India is an enormous supplier of know-how companies to US corporations and a strong framework is being proposed to be offered to Parliament quickly. “India is looking to have contemporary and modern laws in the digital world while maintaining high levels of data privacy,” he added.
He mentioned that inside the framework, “we can begin engaging among member countries on different areas of mutual interest. India will take its decisions on different aspects of the IPEF framework based on our national interest.””We had a useful engagement among member countries of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity. Officials have worked to prepare the ground for useful interactions between ministers. By tomorrow we hope to create a robust framework,” Goyal mentioned.
Union Minister Piyush Goyal is on a six-day go to to San Francisco and Los Angeles to attend the primary Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) ministerial assembly. Goyal met US Trade Representative Katherine Tai forward of the assembly.
“I’ve also had the opportunity to have bilateral discussions with USTR Ambassador Tai and US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. Both were very excited about the good work happening between India and US,” Goyal mentioned.
“They were extremely favourable to expanding ties in trade and investments including hi-tech areas. They were also wishing to further resilient supply chains between India and US,” he added.
The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) was launched collectively by the USA and different accomplice international locations of the Indo-Pacific area on May 23, 2022, in Tokyo.
India joined the IPEF and Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the launch occasion together with US President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and different leaders from accomplice international locations. Previously, digital Ministerial Meetings have been held instantly after the launch on May 23 and thereafter from July 26-27, 2022.
India is dedicated to a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific Region and would work in the direction of deepening financial cooperation amongst companions for the expansion and prosperity of the area. The framework is inclusive and permits flexibility to accomplice international locations to affiliate with pillars primarily based on their respective priorities, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry mentioned in a press release.
IPEF, a gaggle of 13 international locations, is a multilateral financial framework. In current occasions, India is seen as specializing in bilateral free commerce agreements as a substitute of multilateral ones. (ANI)