The New Indian Express ·
Chile FTA: India seeks to balance critical minerals access with agri protection
As India seeks to conclude its Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations with Chile, it is facing a balancing act between securing access to the country’s critical minerals and protecting its domestic agricultural sector, people aware of the matter said.
Chile is seeking greater market access in India for a handful of agricultural and horticultural products, while India remains cautious about opening up its farm sector, the people said.
“Chile is a major producer of some agricultural and horticultural products such as walnuts and salmon. So, they are pushing for those 7-8 items. India is trying to balance their demands and also secure access to critical minerals,” a source said.