India-South Korea CEPA Upgrade: Focus on Digital Trade, Supply Chain Security
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In a bid to future-proof their economic partnership, India and South Korea have set up dedicated sub-committees to steer the upgrade of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. Priority areas include digital trade protocols, supply-chain cooperation and strategic industrial linkages.
The announcement follows high-level talks that reviewed progress since the original 2010 agreement came into force. Both delegations welcomed the “constructive spirit” of discussions and stressed the importance of addressing the widening trade gap through revised market-access commitments.
Key sectors under review range from IT-enabled services and fintech regulations to rules of origin for automobiles and pharmaceuticals. The two sides also explored ways to harmonise sanitary and phytosanitary standards, a move expected to ease agricultural exports from India.
Commerce Ministry sources indicated that the sub-groups will meet regularly over the coming months, with a clear mandate to conclude negotiations swiftly. The upgraded CEPA is projected to unlock new investment flows and create high-value jobs in both countries.
