Not necessary to take a call on IPEF trade pillar by November
Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) next week, officials have said it is not necessary for India to take a call on joining the trade pillar of the pact by the target conclusion date of November.
Negotiators said India can join the IPEF trade pillar later, but there is a need to build consensus.
While the supply chain agreement of the IPEF is awaiting comments from various ministries before it is sent for Cabinet approval, officials said negotiations on clean economy and fair economy are progressing well.
New Delhi has an observer status on the trade pillar negotiations which deal with commitments required on environment, labour, agriculture, digital trade and public procurement.
It chose to stay out of active negotiations as it is unclear on the benefits from this pact.
«There is flux on the issue...there is a need to build consensus,» an official told ET.
