India, Australia Close 11th Round of CECA Talks
India and Australia concluded the 11th round of negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) in New Delhi, held between August 18 and 23. The talks are aimed at expanding the interim Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA), which came into effect in December 2022, into a comprehensive framework.
Agenda and Focus Areas
Negotiators discussed trade in goods and services, digital trade, rules of origin, mobility, legal and institutional issues, and cooperation on environment, labor, and gender. Officials from both countries reported progress and greater alignment on several pending issues.
Roadmap Ahead
Both sides agreed to keep momentum through virtual intersessional meetings in the coming months. They reiterated their commitment to concluding an ambitious and mutually beneficial CECA at the earliest possible date.
Remaining Challenges
Key hurdles remain, particularly on market access. Australia has pushed for quicker tariff reductions on sensitive items such as dairy and wine, while India has been cautious given the potential impact on domestic producers. These issues are expected to dominate the next phases of negotiations as both sides work toward a year-end goal.
