Free Trade Agreements
Concept and WTO Framework
A Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is a pact between two or more nations to reduce or eliminate barriers — tariffs, quotas, and non-tariff barriers — on goods and services traded between them. Under WTO rules, all members must extend equal trade terms to all partners under the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) principle (Article I of GATT). FTAs are a permitted exception to the MFN rule, allowing preferential access between signatories.
- Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreements (CECAs) and Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPAs) are more expansive than traditional FTAs — they cover goods, services, investment, intellectual property, government procurement, and dispute resolution.
- India's FTA with the UAE (signed 2022) and Australia (2022) are structured as CEPAs.
- India's FTA with the UK covers goods, services, investment, and a "mobility chapter" for professionals and students.
- WTO's Article XXIV of GATT permits FTAs if they eliminate tariffs on "substantially all trade" between parties.
● Tracked since February 14, 2026 · last seen August 24, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes
06 Jul '26
ASEAN seeks deeper tariff cuts as India pushes FTA review to narrow trade deficit
Economics
11 Jun '26
Tieups with higher per capita income nations beneficial to all: Piyush Goyal
International Relations
27 Apr '26
India, New Zealand sign FTA for ‘predictable, rule-based trade’ amid volatility
Economics
25 Apr '26
'New chapter in India-New Zealand economic ties': Piyush Goyal as FTA nears signing
Economics
Plus 27 earlier mentions since February 14, 2026.
International Relations
India's FTA Strategy
International Relations
India-US Trade Relations
International Relations
India-EU Free Trade Agreement
International Relations
Rules of Origin
International Relations
India-Israel Bilateral Relations
International Relations
India's Trade Policy Architecture
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