The decision by India and the EU to recast the stalled bilateral trade and investment agreement (BTIA) into three separate deals could favour the latter with its focus to have an investment pact with India after inking a similar deal with China. “We agreed to resume negotiations for a balanced, ambitious, comprehensive and mutually beneficial trade agreement that would respond to the current challenges. We also agreed to the launch of negotiations on a standalone investment protection agreement. The EU had raised strong objection after India unilaterally terminated its 57 bilateral investment treaties (BITs), including those with EU members. “At present, this appears to be a political plank to be seen to move away from inertia in trade deals," he said.

Source: Mint May 09, 2021 20:03 UTC