Sydney - India and Australia recently concluded the tenth round of negotiations for their Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA), focusing on a broad range of issues including goods, services, and digital trade. The talks, held from August 19-22 in Sydney, aimed to bridge gaps and move towards a balanced agreement. The next round of negotiations is set to take place in November in New Delhi, with virtual sessions planned to continue in the interim.

During this round, officials from both nations engaged in detailed discussions on various aspects of the CECA, including government procurement, rules of origin, and agri-tech. The discussions were described as “intensive” and aimed at narrowing differences and finding common ground on each other's proposals.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry highlighted that both sides made concerted efforts to understand each other’s positions and address domestic sensitivities to achieve a balanced outcome. Following a five-month gap since the ninth round of talks, the meeting in Sydney marked a significant step forward, with intersessional meetings held in between to work on convergence.

According to the ministry, track leads from both countries will continue to collaborate virtually to finalize their action plans before the next round in New Delhi. This approach is expected to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the upcoming negotiations.

In addition to the CECA talks, the two countries reviewed their bilateral trade and investment relations. They reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening their economic partnership, building on the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA), which came into effect on December 29, 2022. Both nations aim to ensure that the CECA negotiations result in substantial and balanced benefits for both parties.

As part of their ongoing collaboration, Canberra has proposed the inaugural meeting of the India-Australia Agri Tech Forum (IAATF) to be held in New Delhi on September 23. This new forum, established by Australia, will bring together Indian agricultural stakeholders—including industry leaders, research institutions, and government representatives—to explore opportunities for technology transfer and knowledge sharing in the agriculture and horticulture sectors.

The upcoming November round of CECA negotiations in New Delhi is anticipated to build on the progress made in Sydney and further advance the economic ties between India and Australia.