A high-level Indian delegation led by the Additional Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, Abhilaksh Likhi has arrived in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria today for taking South-South Collaboration and Cooperation on Millets to the next higher stage.

 

In a departure statement to Nigeria for a four-day ‘Millet-Specific Visit’ from 26th to 29th January 2023, Likhi said, it comes in the wake of India kick-starting the International Year of Millets 2023 on the very first day of this year with focused activities being undertaken by Central ministries, state governments, union territories and Indian Embassies.

 

Nigeria is the 2nd richest and most populous country of the 54 nations in the African continent and it could become a model of South-South Cooperation on Millets along with other Indian important partners like Egypt, South Africa, Algeria, Morocco, Ethiopia, Kenya, Angola, Ghana and Sudan to address the ‘lack of food security’, which remains one of the most formidable challenges facing the African continent. India and Africa’s complementary sectoral priorities and similar roles in the evolving global food markets present numerous opportunities for cooperation on millets production and promotion.

 

The government of India sponsored the proposal for International Year of Millets (IYM) 2023 which was accepted by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). The declaration has been instrumental for the Government of India to be at the forefront in celebrating the IYM. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also shared his vision to make IYM 2023 a ‘People’s Movement’ alongside positioning India as the ‘Global Hub for Millets’.

 

It may be recalled that Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), organised an opening ceremony for the International Year of Millets – 2023 (IYM2023) in Rome, Italy. An Indian delegation led by Shobha Karandlaje, Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare along with Shubha Thakur, Joint Secretary (Crops), DA&FW and other senior officials were present at the opening ceremony. During the event, India’s ceremonial message by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conveyed by Shobha Karandlaje.

 

It may be underlined that embassies of India across more than 140 countries will be participating in celebration of IYM during 2023 by conducting side events on IYM involving the Indian diaspora through exhibitions, seminars, talks, panel discussions along with the participation of local chambers, food bloggers, importers of food items and local restaurants.

 

Dwelling on his Nigeria visit, Likhi said, the High Commission of India in Abuja and Consulate General of India in Lagos, as part of the promotion of IYM, have planned a Millets Food Festival and a Millets Food preparation competition during this high-level visit to Nigeria. The Millets Food Festival will be held at the High Commission premises and provide stalls for preparation with invitees including both Nigerian dignitaries and the Indian community.

 

Likhi said, Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister, Narendra Singh Tomar delivering a valedictory address on 24th January 2023 at India International Science Festival in Bhopal pointed out that IYM-23 is happening at a time when India has assumed the G-20 presidency when we will be showcasing India’s prowess, not only in agriculture and allied sectors, fisheries, animal husbandry and dairying but in every sector including universally recognise India’s soft power to the world. The spirit of the ‘Whole of Government’ and ‘Whole of Society’ approach is truly being seen in the celebrations of the International Year of Millets 2023, Likhi pointed out.

 

It may also be recalled that the President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali met Narendra Singh Tomar on 12th January 2023 during his week-long visit to India and offered 200 acres of land in his country for exclusive cultivation and production of millets for the private sector in honour of the United Nations declaring the year 2023 as the International Year of Millet (IYM).

 

Dr Irfaan Ali also asked Tomar if he would be truly honoured, if Prime Minister Narendra Modi would agree to address the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) scheduled in February 2023 to present India’s vision on agriculture and food security. He said, even a virtual address by Modi to 17 heads of states will go a long way in promoting and popularising millets in the Caribbean community. He also offered to have a session with Indian agriculture minister for a talk on millets.

Highlighting that Haryana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu and Odisha have launched their own programmes to procure millets and distribute those nutri-cereals within their respective state, Subodh Kumar Singh, additional secretary in the Food Ministry, said that the Centre has urged all the states, including Rajasthan, the biggest producer of bajra and second-largest in jowar, to start focusing on procurement of the grains.

 

He said Karnataka has set a target to procure 6-7 lt of nutri-cereals, including 5 lt of ragi in 2022-23 season (October-September). 'Though we had set a target to procure 13.5 lt of coarse and nutri-cereals, the purchase can be around 9.5 lt as maize prices are above minimum support price (MSP),' Singh said.

 

If 10 lt is added every year in procurement, the purchases may increase to 40-50 lt in next few years, Singh said.

 

As the current policy of the Centre puts the responsibility on the states for distribution of coarse and nutri cereals, unlike wheat and rice, the procurement under Central Pool never took off with low demand from consumers. However, with increased campaign about the nutritious value of coarse grains, there has been some increase in demand resulting in many start ups producing valued added products (VAPs).

 

Currently, the Centre allows procurement of maize, jowar, bajra and ragi under coarse cereals, which was sold at Rs.1/kg before the government recently declared free distribution of grains under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) 2013.

 

'The food and agriculture ministries are discussing on the possibilities of bringing small millets (as many as 12-13 local varieties) grown in different states under MSP programme,' Singh said. He also pointed out that despite persuasions, Rajasthan has not started procurement of coarse grains.

 

Shoots of growth

Meanwhile, the Centre also said that they have paid Rs.85,604 crore in 2021-22 (in MSP value) to wheat farmers, an increase of 153 per cent from Rs.33,847 crore in 2013-14. Similarly, increase in MSP value in paddy was over 165 per cent to Rs.1,69,736 crore in 2021-22 from Rs.63,928 crore in 2013-14 due to rise in quantity of procurement as well as in MSP.

Bangladesh has kept 'in abeyance' its decision to sign contracts with Indian cooperatives to import two lakh tonnes (lt) of parboiled rice under government-to-government (G2G) deals. 

 

Initially found hesitant, Dhaka has decided to put the deal in cold storage as it has got a few offers at lower prices and the Sheikh Hasina Wajed government is facing problems on the foreign exchange front. 

 

Caught on wrong foot?

Trade sources said Bangladesh may have been caught on the wrong foot for its indecisiveness since prices in the global rice market have shot up by 10 per cent over the last couple of weeks.

 

Sources said Dhaka is looking to source rice from other origins but India’s main competitors - Thailand and Pakistan - have priced their produce at over $100 a tonne. 

 

According to the Thai Rice Exporters Association, Thailand’s parboiled rice is quoted at $523 a tonne and Pakistan’s at $533-37 a tonne. The association pegged the Indian price at $388-392, up $15 in the past couple of weeks. 

 

However, exporters said Bangladesh will have to pay more when it comes to making purchases in the market. 'Parboiled prices in India have increased by over 30 per cent this month mainly on reports of Bangladesh importing rice from India on a G2G basis,' said VR Vidyasagar, Director, Bulk Logix. 

 

Low quotes in tenders

India’s NCCF and Kendriya Bhandar (National Cooperative Consumers Federation of India Ltd) were to supply the two lakh tonnes under G2G deals at $433.60 and $433.50 a tonne, respectively in December. Bangladesh’s Food Ministry issued letters of intent for the purchases of one lakh tonnes each from the two cooperatives before stepping back. 

 

At that time, prices quoted by the two cooperatives were $35/tonne higher than what private traders offered Dhaka in two global import tenders of 50,000 tonnes each.

 

In a tender opened on December 21, India’s Bagadiya Brothers was the lowest bidder offering the foodgrain at $393.90/tonne. In the next tender opened on December 27, Singapore’s AgroCorp International offered the most competitive rate of $397.03.

 

The G2G deals and tenders were part of Bangladesh’s efforts to procure 3 lakh tonnes of parboiled rice for the public distribution system.  

 

6-day delay

Official sources said they had charged more for the supplies since Bangladesh asked for the new crop besides wanting the consignments to be delivered in two months.

 

'Had it given more time and opted for an older crop, it could have got the rice at a cheaper rate,' an official said on condition of anonymity.

 

The LOI was issued after accepting the Indian cooperatives’ offer. The Indian agencies were to furnish bank guarantees but as it got delayed by six days, Bangladesh utilised the opportunity to put the deal on hold. 

 

A trader said: 'If it wanted, Bangladesh could have accepted the guarantee.'  

 

According to Bangladesh media reports, the Wajed government’s Food Ministry and its Cabinet committee that decides on public procurement have cleared the imports.

 

Bullish market

Trader sources said the additional amount sought from Bangladesh was justified since it is looking for guaranteed delivery.  

 

The global rice market has turned bullish on a lower crop in India, China and Bangladesh. India’s kharif rice production has been estimated lower (104.99 million tonnes vs 111.76 million tonnes last season) and stocks with the Food Corporation of India (FCI) are at a six-year low.

 

In view of this, India has banned exports of fully broken rice and imposed a 20 per cent export duty on white rice. Parboiled and basmati rice have been exempt from these curbs. 

Britain's trade minister in charge of negotiating a free trade agreement (FTA) with India says clinching a high-quality deal is among her top priorities for the year, while admitting the talks had hit a 'bit of an impasse' which she broke by flying to New Delhi last month. In a speech addressing business leaders at Lancaster House in London on Tuesday, UK Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch insisted the FTA talks are now 'back on track'. It comes after the Diwali 2022 deadline for the FTA set by former prime minister Boris Johnson was missed last October amid political turmoil in Britain.

 

'Some of you will know I was a software engineer and a systems analyst before I became a politician. That means I'm a problem solver at heart,' said Badenoch.

 

'So when our Indian trade talks hit a bit of an impasse, I didn't pick up the phone, I got on a plane. That deal's not done yet, but it's back on track,' she said.

 

Badenoch was in New Delhi in early December to hold talks with her counterpart, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, and kick off the sixth round of FTA talks. The seventh round is expected in the UK in the coming weeks, with both sides reluctant to set a new deadline for completing the negotiations.

 

'We will seal high-quality deals with India and CPTPP [Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership] - they have a combined population of nearly 2 billion consumers - opening exciting opportunities in fast-growing markets for years to come,' Badenoch said.

 

'But I want to be clear that just signing on the dotted line is not the objective. These deals will only be agreed if they are the right deals for the people of this country. Bringing in jobs and investment to left-behind communities and capitalising on those areas in which we specialise,' she added.

 

With reference to the work being done by her Department for International Trade (DIT) in opening up the Indian market for UK businesses, the minister flagged the example of a north-west England pet food company. The Lancashire firm called VetPlus reportedly approached the DIT recently over a 'paperwork problem' in selling their pet food products into India.

 

'We fixed it. And the company now expects to do GBP 1.5 million of additional business over the next five years. This is where my team comes in,' she declared.

 

Laying out her plans for 2023, the trade minister vowed to remove trade barriers, knocking down '100 unnecessary blockers' standing in the way of helping UK businesses sell more and grow more, creating new jobs and paying higher wages.

 

'The UK is a leading destination for foreign investment. However, this position is not a given. There is fierce global competition for every pound of finance. I want to make the UK the most attractive place to invest in Europe, enticing companies from across the world to put their money into communities across the country,' she said.

 

According to official UK government data, India-UK bilateral trade currently stands at around GBP 29.6 billion a year. Both sides formally launched FTA negotiations at the start of last year with the ambition to significantly boost that two-way exchange.

A high-Level Indian Delegation led by Additional Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Abhilaksh Likhi has arrived in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria today for taking South-South Collaboration and Cooperation on Millets to next higher stage.

 

In a departure Statement to Nigeria for a four-day 'Millet-Specific Visit' from 26th January to 29th January 2023, Shri Likhi said, it comes in the wake of India kick starting the International Year of Millets (IYM) 2023 on the very first day of this year with Focused Activities being undertaken by Central Ministries, State Governments/ UTs and Indian Embassies.

 

Nigeria is the 2nd Richest and most Populous country of the 54 Nations in African Continent and it could become a Model of South-South Cooperation on Millets along with other Indian Important Partners like Egypt, South Africa, Algeria, Morocco, Ethiopia, Kenya, Angola, Ghana and Sudan to address the 'lack of food security", which remains one of the most formidable challenges facing the African continent. India and Africa’s complementary sectoral priorities and similar roles in the evolving global food markets present numerous opportunities for collaboration in the agricultural sector, and particularly in areas of Millets Production and Promotion.

 

Spearheaded by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Government of India sponsored the proposal for International Year of Millets (IYM) 2023 which was accepted by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). The declaration has been instrumental for the Government of India to be at the forefront in celebrating the IYM. Shri Narendra Modi has also shared his vision to make IYM 2023 a ‘People’s Movement’ alongside positioning India as the ‘Global Hub for Millets’.

 

It may be recalled that The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, organized an opening ceremony for the International Year of Millets – 2023 (IYM2023) in Rome, Italy. An Indian delegation led by Sushri Shobha Karandlaje, Minister of State, Agriculture & Farmers Welfare along with Smt. Shubha Thakur, Joint Secretary (Crops), DA&FW and other senior officials were present at the opening ceremony. During the event, India’s ceremonial message by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi was conveyed by Sushri Shobha Karandlaje.

 

It may be underlined that Embassies of India across more than 140 countries will be participating in celebration of IYM during 2023 by conducting side events on IYM involving the Indian Diaspora through exhibition, seminars, talks, panel discussions along with the participation of local chambers, food bloggers, importers of food items and local restaurants etc.

 

It may be emphasized that Cooked Millets dish exhibitions/ contests will be organized with the help of Indian diaspora and Millets dishes will be served as part of the Republic Day Celebrations.

 

Dwelling on his Nigeria visit, Shri Likhi said, the High Commission of India in Abuja and Consulate General of India in Lagos, as part of promotion of IYM, have planned a Millets Food Festival and a Millets Food preparation competition during this high level visit to Nigeria. The Millets Food Festival would be held at the High Commission premises and provide stalls for preparation with invitees including both Nigerian dignitaries and Indian community.

 

Shri Likhi said, Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shri Narendra SinghTomar delivering a Valedictory Address on 24th January, 2023 at India International Science Festival in Bhopal pointed out that IYM-23 is happening at a time, when India has assumed the G-20 Presidency under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, where we will be showcasing India’s prowess, not only in Agriculture and Allied Sectors, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, but in every sector including Universally recognize India’s Soft Power to the World. The spirit of the 'Whole of Government' and 'Whole of Society' approach is truly being seen in the celebrations of the International Year of Millets 2023, Shri Likhi pointed out.

 

It may also be recalled that the President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali met Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shri Narendra SinghTomar on 12th January, 2023 during his week-long visit to India and offered 200 Acres of Land in his country for exclusive cultivation and production of Millets for private sector in honor of the United Nations declaring the year 2023 as the International Year of Millet (IYM).

 

Dr Irfaan Ali also asked Shri Tomar that he will be truly honored, if Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will agree to address the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) scheduled in Februray, 2023 to present India’s Vision on Agriculture and Food Security. He said, even a virtual address by Shri Modi to 17 Heads of States will go a long way in promoting and popularizing Millets in the Caribbean Community. He also offered to have a session of Indian Agriculture Minister for Talk on Millets. 

India and Egypt have reaffirmed their commitment to the founding values of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), international law and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states. It was mentioned in a joint statement released on Thursday, a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi held wide-ranging talks covering bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest.

 

On economic ties, the statement mentioned that the Egyptian side is considering the possibility of allocating a special area of land for the Indian industries in the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCEZ), adding that 'the Indian side can arrange for the master plan'.

 

The Suez Canal, connecting the Mediterranean Sea with the Red Sea, is one of the world's busiest trade routes. About 12 per cent of the global trade passes through the canal each day.

 

The statement said India would encourage its companies, which have the potential to establish overseas investments, to make use of the available investment opportunities in Egypt.

 

'In this context, the Egyptian side considers the possibility of allocating a special area of land for the Indian industries in the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCEZ), and the Indian side can arrange for the master plan,' it said.

 

The Egyptian president, who arrived here on a three-day visit on Tuesday, attended the Republic Day celebrations as the chief guest.

 

The joint statement noted that Modi and Sisi reviewed the status of the bilateral relationship based on the pillars of closer political and security cooperation, deeper economic engagement, stronger scientific and academic collaboration as well as wider cultural and people-to-people contacts.

 

'The two countries reaffirmed their commitment to multilateralism, the principles of the United Nations Charter, international law, the founding values of the Non-Aligned Movement, and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states,' the statement said.

 

Though it did not mention any context or country, the reference to sovereignty and territorial integrity of states came amid growing global concerns over China's aggressive military muscle flexing and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

 

'The two sides take into consideration the cultural and social sensitivities of all states and, in this regard, they agreed to work together to promote and safeguard these basic principles through regular consultations and coordination at bilateral and multilateral levels,' the statement mentioned.

 

It said Modi and Sisi expressed concern over the spread of terrorism across the world and agreed that it poses one of the most serious security threats to humanity.

 

'Both leaders condemned the use of terrorism as a foreign policy tool. They called for 'zero tolerance' for terrorism and for all those who encourage, support and finance terrorism or provide sanctuaries to terrorists and terror groups -- whatever their motivation may be,' the statement said.

 

It said the two leaders emphasised the need for concerted and coordinated action by the international community, with the objective of eradicating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism.

 

'They reiterated their condemnation of efforts, including by States, to use religion to justify, support and sponsor terrorism against other countries,' it said.

 

'They also called upon all countries to work towards rooting out terrorist networks and their safe havens, infrastructure, their financing channels and preventing cross-border movements of terrorists,' the statement added.

 

Both leaders reiterated their common resolve in promoting the values of peace, tolerance and inclusiveness and making concerted efforts to fight terrorism and violent extremist ideologies.

 

'They emphasised the need for a holistic approach to counter terrorism and violent extremism, which includes inter alia disrupting the use of the internet and social media and preventing the use of religious centres to radicalise youth and recruit terrorist cadres,' the statement said.

 

It said Modi and Sisi also agreed on the need to hold the joint working group meeting on counter-terrorism on a regular basis to exchange information and best practices.

 

The two sides agreed on enhancing the interaction between their respective national security councils.

 

The joint statement said the two leaders look forward to deepening cooperation in the field of agriculture and allied services, while noting the importance of strengthening the supply chain of food articles.

The Food Corporation of India (FCI) will off load 30 LMT wheat from the Central pool stock to the market through various routes under the Open Market Sale Scheme (Domestic).

 

Offloading of 30 LMT wheat in the market through OMSS (D) scheme within a span of two months through multiple channels will have wider reach as well as immediate  impact on the soaring Wheat and Atta prices and will help containing the rising prices and will bring much relief to the common man.

 

To address the rising price of wheat and Atta in the country, Group of Ministers headed by Home Minister Sri Amit Shah met today and discussed the buffer stock position of the Country.

 

In order to have quick impact on the rising prices, following options to offload wheat to the market were approved by the Committee of Ministers (CoM):

 

Wheat will be offered to the Flour millers, Bulk Buyers etc through e-auction for a maximum quantity of 3000 MT per buyer, per auction, from a FCI Region under e-auction.

Wheat will also be offered to State Governments/UTs for their schemes without e-auction.

Apart from the above channels, wheat will be offered at a concessional rates of Rs 2350/ Qtl to Govt PSUs/cooperatives/Federations, Kendriya Bhandar/NCCF/NAFED etc without e-auction. The sale under this special scheme will be subject to the stipulation that the buyer will convert wheat to atta and  offer it to public at an Maximum Retail Price of Rs. 29.50 per Kg.

It is decided that Food Corporation of India willoffload wheat within the next two months to the market for immediate impact on the rising wheat and Atta prices.

 

FCI will start the process of E- auction of stocks immediately, throughout the country during January to March 2023.

Export prices of Indian white rice have increased by over 10 per cent over the past fortnight to nearly a 30-month high. The surge in prices is in view of the Food Corporation of India (FCI) procuring more rice for the central pool and global currency movements, exporters and traders said.

 

The Centre’s decision to end the distribution of free grains under Prime Minister Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), which is in addition to the normal supply under various welfare schemes, has also resulted in the prices rising, they said. 

 

This is because those who were getting rice under the scheme are now seeking rice from the open market. 

 

Near MSP levels

'Exporters have to compete with the FCI to get rice. This has pushed up rice prices. Once it ends procurement, we could see some correction,' said New Delhi-based exporter Rajesh Paharia Jain.

 

FCI procurement of kharif rice is 20 per cent higher year-on-year, he said. 

 

'Parboiled prices have increased by 30 per cent in the past couple of weeks to Rs.29,000 a tonne from Rs.22,000. Talks of Bangladesh buying rice under a government-to-government deal have pushed up the price,' said VR Vidya Sagar, Director, Bulk Logix.

 

According to data from the Agmarknet portal, a unit of the Agriculture Ministry, paddy prices were up at Rs.2,419.46 a quintal last week compared with Rs.2,054 a year ago. This year, the MSP for paddy has been fixed at Rs.2,040 for the current crop year to June. 

 

Data from the Consumers Affairs Ministry show that the average wholesale price of rice is currently Rs.3,328.43 a quintal, up 9.12 per cent year-on-year. 

 

Most of the rise in the price happened in the past week, he said. 

 

'Rice prices have increased to near minimum support price (MSP) levels and this has resulted in export prices surging,' said BV Krishna Rao, President, The Rice Exporters Association. 

 

Still competitive 

According to the Thai Rice Exporters Association, India’s 5 per cent broken white rice price has increased by $40 a tonne since the third week of December to $443-47 a tonne. The price of 25 per cent broken white rice has gone up by $50 to $428-32.

 

Only parboiled rice has not witnessed such a rise, though its prices have risen by $15 to $388-92 a tonne. Despite the surge in prices,  Indian rice is still the most competitive. However, the Indian cereal currently holds only a $15/tonne advantage over Vietnam. 

 

'Indian white rice prices will top $450 in a week’s time once the markets open up abroad after the Chinese lunar New Year. We have to see how the Vietnam market opens on February 1,' said Bulk Logix’s Sagar. 

 

Good for sector

Exports to Africa are taking place, though there is a general shortage of supplies in the market, he said. 

 

TREA’s Rao said the increase in rice prices is good for the industry since only 'actual millers' are buying in the domestic market. 'Various States such as Tamil Nadu are buying rice from the open market, pushing up prices,' he said.

 

'Prices have increased despite the arrival of new crop in West Bengal. We are exporting rejected grains from parboiled sortex,' said M Madan Prakash, President of the Agricultural Commodities Exporters Association.

 

Even prices of such grains have increased to nearly $320 free-on-board (f.o.b). 

 

Set to cool

However, the current trend may not hold for long since 'the surge' is not sustainable, said Sagar. 

 

'Prices are likely to correct once the Vietnam market opens,' he said. 

 

'The market is caught between two rice seasons in Thailand. Once the new crop arrives there, prices will cool down,' said Rao. 

 

'Once FCI ends its procurement, it will be only traders in the market. It will bring down prices,' said Jain. 

 

But a trade analyst, who did not wish to be identified, was sceptical saying, 'the market sentiments are based on physical supplies. Looks like the data on production may not be right.'

 

Rice prices are up since the production during the kharif season has been estimated lower at 104.99 million tonnes (mt) this year compared with 111.76 mt last year. This was because paddy sowing was affected by deficient rains in West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh. 

 

According to data from FCI, rice stocks are at an 8-year low of 12.35 mt as of January 1 but unmilled paddy stocks are at a record high of 47.62 mt (31.9 mt of rice). 

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has said that in the talks for the proposed free trade agreement between India and the UK, the focus is on what is acceptable to both countries and not allow sensitive issues to scuttle the discussions. He also said that student visas are never part of a free trade agreement (FTA).

 

India has recently concluded the sixth round of talks with the UK and the next round will be held soon.

 

Negotiations with the UK started on January 13 last year with an aim to boost bilateral trade and investments. The bilateral trade between the two countries increased to USD 17.5 billion in 2021-22 compared to USD 13.2 billion in 2020-21. India's exports stood at USD 10.5 billion in 2021-22, while imports were USD 7 billion.

 

'With UK , our approach is let's focus on what is acceptable to both the countries and let us not allow sensitive issues to scuttle our discussions,' Goyal told reporters here.

 

When asked about a statement of a UK official that granting more students visas for India is not part of this agreement, Goyal said: 'Have you ever heard of student visas being part of FTA? How many students go there (UK) to study? It's never a part of an FTA'.

 

British trade minister Kemi Badenoch, who is in-charge of the negotiations, recently stated that the trade agreement is expected to be clinched this year but it won't involve any boost of free movement visa offers for Indians.

 

In an interview with 'The Times' recently, the UK Secretary of State for Trade also ruled out any major similarities between the FTA the UK struck with Australia post Brexit and the proposed deal with India.

 

Goyal said FTAs are never negotiated either in newspaper articles, news conferences or in public functions, and these agreements are 'serious' functions that happened amongst officials and at higher political levels also discussed when required.

 

'That's hardcore negotiations and it has to be a win-win for both countries,' he added.

 

Talking about the proposed trade deal with Canada, the commerce minister said that with Canada, India is looking at an early harvest agreement, which is called an early progress trade agreement .

 

In this, 'we are hoping to capture the low hanging fruits, so that the businesses can start enjoying the fruits faster and when people start seeing the benefits,' he added.

 

Replying to a query on India's decision to opt out from the trade pillar of the 14-member Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), Goyal said if India would find it in the interest of the country, it will be happy to join that pillar.

 

India opted out from the trade pillar 'because we do not know the final contours, we don't know whether there are any binding commitments, we don't know whether there will be any restrictions which can hurt our manufacturing or hurt our economy.

 

'So until we see exactly what are the contours that are there and what are the benefits that are there, until that time we have said, we will observe what you (13 members of the IPEF) all are doing ,' he said.

 

India has not yet opted for it, as it is waiting to see what would be the final contours of this trade pillar and what it will get, he added.

 

The IPEF was launched jointly by the US and other partner countries of the Indo-Pacific region on May 23 in Tokyo. The 14 IPEF partners represent 40 per cent of global GDP and 28 per cent of global goods and services trade.

 

The framework is structured around four pillars relating to trade, supply chains, clean economy, and fair economy. India has joined three pillars - supply chains, clean economy, and fair economy.

 

India will host the next special negotiation round of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) from February 8-11 next year.

 

On the PM Gati Shakti initiative, the minister said that besides efficient planning of roads and railways, PM Gati Shakti portal is being used for unique ideas.

 

Citing examples, he said the portal is helpful in finalising locations for the proposed PM Mitra (Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel) parks.

 

It is also used to match the BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) and FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) labs with the industries.

 

'We have mapped all the labs of the country on the PM Gati Shakti platform...So if the cement industry is in one place, cement testing should be there, and not 500 km away,' he said adding the platform is helping social sectors also.

 

He added that give lakh fair price shops have also been mapped and now 'we are mapping' number of transactions on each shop, 'so we will be able to know which are the shops where nobody goes, we can remove some of them and which are the shops which are over loaded'.

 

Goyal was here to participate in the inaugural session of the B20 India Inception Meeting here, organised by industry chamber CII.

The India International Science Festival concluded today in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. On this occasion, the Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar said that science and technology are developing rapidly in the country under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. The application of Science and Technology has increased in every field. This sector is one of the priorities for the Central Government.

 

Union Minister Shri Tomar said that Vigyan Bharti, State Government and Central Government together provided an efficient platform for students, scientists and start-ups from across the country through this event. A large number of students and youth were invited to the festival. He said that our country is a young country. Youth energy is the biggest strength of our country. As Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has termed it, - our country is going through Amritkaal. This is the time when the country can fulfill the biggest expectations and goals, drawing on the strength of the young population. For this, the Government of India is promoting science and technology. Shri Tomar said that when we came into Government, the budget for Science & Technology was around Rs 2,000 crore, which Prime Minister Shri Modi increased to more than Rs 6,000 crore. The priority of the government can also be understood from the fact that the then former Prime Minister Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri had given the slogan of Jai Jawan-Jai Kisan, and later Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee included Science and given the slogan Jai Jawan-Jai Kisan-Jai Vigyan, now Prime Minister Shri Modi has included Anusandhan and now it has become Jai Jawan-Jai Kisan-Jai Vigyan and Jai Anusandhan.

 

Shri Tomar said that science has a great impact upon our lives. Today its utility can be felt all over the world including in our country. India also has the ability to achieve a position in today's competitive world, but to reach there and be able to go ahead, we should know the scientific importance of even the smallest thing. Only then we will be able to go ahead in the world competition.

 

Shri Tomar said that today no field is untouched by science and technology. In the agriculture sector too, due to technology, work has become easier, losses are being reduced and time is being saved. The use of drone technology is being made accessible to farmers. Farmers will get huge benefits through Digital Agriculture Mission, he said. Based on the way research is being done in the agriculture sector, we can say that in the coming days, India will increase its production and productivity by using technology. Along with fulfilling the country’s needs, we will also be successful in discharging our responsibilities toward the world.

 

Madhya Pradesh' Science and Technology Minister Shri Omprakash Saklecha also addressed the function. On this occasion, Union Science and Technology Secretary Dr. Chandrashekhar, Secretary, Department of Space, Shri S.K. Somnath, Vigyan Bharti General Secretary Shri Sudhir Bhadauria, Madhya Pradesh Secretary Shri ikunj Srivastava, Dr. Sudhanshu Vritti and Dr. Anil Kothari were among dignitaries present.