Optimistic despite Malaysia's u-turn, Japan-South Korea spat

RCEP is a proposed mega trade pact between the 10 Asean members, India, Australia, China, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand. According to initial estimates, it accounts for 25% of global gross domestic product, 30%

The move is aimed at allaying the domestic industry’s fears that any free trade agreement with China through RCEP (Beijing is a member) will result in massive dumping of highly-subsidised items, mostly diverted due to the ongoing trade war.

The 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is likely to become China's largest trading partner surpassing the EU via closer ties under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), experts said on Monday.

Joining the RCEP could be counter-productive given the existing inefficiencies of Indian producers. These need to be fixed first

India has a large market to offer, and it must drive a better bargain that it has done so far

Will protect national interest and the domestic industry, promises Goyal

With the year-end target for Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) negotiations drawing near, its 16 participating countries pledged in Bangkok yesterday to keep working on ironing out fundamental issues.

New Delhi can take advantage of Beijing being on the back foot​

On-going negotiating round in Jakarta to focus on resolving ISDS, rules of origin.