Addressing a press conference in Hyderabad on Thursday (July 3, 2025), former MP Vadde Sobhanadreeswara Rao and other SKM leaders warned that Indian agriculture should be kept out of any free trade agreement with the US or other countries.
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Indeed. And in these BTA talks, the PM's Office has shown more willingness than ever before.

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The new FOCE definition will make it harder for Chinese or other foreign investors to use indirect structures such as offshore investment funds or layered Indian entities to enter regulated sectors through the back door, the second source said.

"What cannot be done directly should not be allowed indirectly either. That will now be clearly reflected in the rules," the source said. "Even a domestic restructuring or internal transfer could trigger FDI obligations for foreign-owned firms if the rule change is implemented," the source said.

Surging imports of flat-rolled steel, stainless steel, and ferro-alloys have exposed deep-rooted structural vulnerabilities, contributing to a $7.33 billion trade deficit in the iron and steel sector. These imbalances call for an urgent review of trade provisions under existing FTAs.

“We have been holding on to alcohol and auto and that has led us to lose out on gains in other sectors such as textiles, gems & jewellery and footwear,” the official said adding that there would be gains in the two sectors as well. www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/indi...

“There is no out-of-quota duty reduction for EVs. The sensitivity related to EVs has been addressed. The out-of-quota duty on ICE vehicles will be reduced gradually over a longer period [..]" the official said

An official clarified that India has not included a Minimum Import Price (MIP) provision for British alcoholic beverages in the free trade agreement, despite requests from domestic liquor manufacturers. indianexpress.com/article/busi...

“Despite that, the UK should not put forth such a difficult proposition. However, if India taxes these products, Indian exporters will not have to pay CBAM. The revenue collected will help the industry become more sustainable or support our sustainability efforts,” the official clarified.

“CBAM will apply to a few products. So, the industry is more concerned about the paperwork related to it. In terms of market access, CBAM will not hurt the industry,” the official said.

Government officials said that while the deal was concluded on Tuesday, implementation could take over 15 months. Both sides have started the legal scrubbing of the text, which will take around three months to complete.

“The market access given to the UK in cars is minuscule. We sell around 5 million cars now. It will be a 10 million market in five to six years. Also, duty-free access to the UK market for ICE vehicles has the potential to boost India’s auto exports,” the official said.

India has not granted market access to the UK in smartphones; small-sized, low-cost EVs; hybrids; or futuristic cars in the just-concluded FTA, giving the industry adequate ‘protection’, a senior government official said on Thursday. www.business-standard.com/economy/news...

“We have made it clear that if the UK goes ahead with a carbon tax, India will respond in kind," said the official, who was part of the negotiations.

As per procedure, in the UK, international treaties such as FTAs typically require presentation before Parliament under the CRAG. In India, cabinet approval is generally sufficient for ratification, unless legislative changes are required.

Post-signing, the FTA will be ratified by the UK Parliament, while in India, ratification will take place through a Union cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister.