International Relations GS 2 In the news 3 times

CEPA vs FTA

Key Distinctions

A Free Trade Agreement (FTA) primarily reduces tariffs on goods. A Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) goes further — it includes services trade, investment facilitation, technical cooperation, and regulatory harmonisation. India has CEPAs with South Korea, Japan, UAE, and Singapore, and an FTA with ASEAN. The India–Korea CEPA is broader than India's ASEAN FTA because it has deeper services and investment chapters.

Key details

India's CEPAs in force: Japan (2011), South Korea (2010), UAE (2022), Mauritius (2021), Australia (2022)
India–ASEAN FTA (goods only, 2010) is shallower than India–Korea CEPA
"Upgrade" negotiations add new chapters: digital trade, environment, MSMEs, supply chains

In the news

● Tracked since April 20, 2026 · last seen September 21, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes

21 Sep '26

India, Canada to hold next round of talks from October 5 for proposed trade pact: Piyush Goyal

International Relations

09 Sep '26

India-US trade deal ‘more or less’ finalised, framework for preferential access being worked out: Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal

Economics

20 Apr '26

India, South Korea decide to start negotiations to upgrade economic pact

International Relations

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