The EFTA states – Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Iceland – and India recently discussed how to push for the conclusion of a bilateral free trade agreement.
The free trade negotiations started in October 2008, with 13 rounds being held until November 2013. Chief negotiators decided to resume negotiations in 2016 after taking stock of their status and held a 14th round of negotiations in October 2016.
The two parties held a 15th round of negotiations in New Delhi on January 11-13. Experts from both sides held targeted discussions on outstanding issues regarding trade in goods, trade in services, rules of origin, and intellectual property rights. They also reviewed the state of play of all other topics under discussion.
Both sides agreed to continue negotiations with a view to concluding an agreement in the near future. The next round of negotiations will be held in Geneva in spring 2017.
