By NNN-PTI,
New Delhi : Australia plans to start negotiations with India on a free trade agreement encompassing goods, services and investments later this year, probably June.
“We would like to move ahead with the Free Trade Agreement, we are about to finish a feasibility study. Based on the report negotiations would commence,” Australian High Commissioner Peter N Varghese told PTI.
The feasibility study that started in 2007 is likely to be completed by the month-end, he said, adding the negotiations are expected to start from June.
Varghese said Australia attached high importance to economic ties with India and wanted India to be among its six top trading partners.
Stressing that Australia wanted to conclude the pact, he maintained that acrimony over attacks on Indian students in Australia had not impacted bilateral trade.