By IANS
On Board Air India One : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Tuesday hoped Asean would be “reasonable” in the tariff row with India so that “our subsistence farmers” do not get hurt.
The prime minister told reporters on his way to Singapore that there were “some problems in giving final shape” to a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the 10-member Association of Southeast Nations (Asean).
“Essentially it revolves around the extent of protection to sensitive agricultural products,” he said. “I hope we can solve these issues.”
Manmohan Singh said the demands being made on India to reduce tariffs could “affect adversely our subsistence farmers of certain crops. We are trying to persuade our Asean friends to be reasonable. I am hopeful this process will reach a satisfactory outcome”.
India is resisting Asean demands that New Delhi cut tariff rates on the import of commodities such as edible oil, palm oil and tea. India feels this would badly hurt the Indian producers of these products.