National Security Conversations

Dr. Happymon Jacob speaks to Prof. Amita Batra (Professor at Centre for South Asian Studies in School of International Studies at JNU) about India’s decision to stay out of the RCEP. She discusses the significance that RCEP’s membership would have had for India. The conversation discusses the reasons behind India’s decision of pulling out from the mega-free trade agreement and the conditions under which India may reconsider its decision in the future. Prof. Batra argues that while at present India’s decision may have been a considered one but the onus of benefiting from RCEP in the future lies with India. Reforms to this end should focus on enhancing India’s its industrial and manufacturing competitiveness, which is the bottom-line for entering into any deal. The conversation also discusses India’s overall FTA strategy in general and the strategies which would allow India to take advantage of FTAs as strategic trade instruments like other countries. Prof. Batra recommends setting up of an independent domestic