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Aurtus is a full-service boutique firm providing well-researched tax, transaction and regulatory services to clients in India as well as globally. At Aurtus, we strive to live up to our name, which is derived from ’Aurum’ – signifying the gold standard of services and ‘Ortus’ – implying a sunrise of fresh/innovative ideas and thought leadership. We help our clients navigate the complex world of tax and regulatory laws while providing them with thoroughly researched, practical and value-driven solutions. Our solutions and the holistic implementation support, cover not only all the relevant tax and regulatory aspects but also the contemporary trends and commercial realities. Our clients include reputed Indian corporations, MNCs, family offices, HNIs, start-ups, venture capital funds, private equity investors, etc.
India is poised to become one of the world’s next economic
powers. In pursuit of this vision, the country has adopted a dual
strategy of strengthening domestic capabilities while actively
deepening international trade relationships. One of the key tools
employed by India and by many nations n
India
International Law
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Introduction
India is poised to become one of the world’s next economic
powers. In pursuit of this vision, the country has adopted a dual
strategy of strengthening domestic capabilities while actively
deepening international trade relationships. One of the key tools
employed by India and by many nations navigating the complexity of
global commerce is the use of Regional Trade Agreements (RTAs),
which reduce or eliminate tariffs and other trade barriers. For
India, RTAs have become instrumental in establishing stable and
predictable trade partnerships amid global volatility. Notably,
India ranks 10th globally in terms of RTA usage, following leaders
such as the European Union and the United Kingdom, which have long
leveraged such agreements to secure their positions in the
international trading system.
India’s increasing integration into the global economy is
reflected in its active participation in a broad array of RTAs.
These agreements are not merely symbolic; they yield tangible
economic benefits, such as reduced or zero customs duties on
qualifying imports, which help Indian industries access raw
materials at lower costs, strengthen supply chains, and improve
global competitiveness.
What are RTAs
RTAs are either bilateral (between two countries) or
plurilateral/multilateral (involving more than two countries)
reciprocal trade arrangements entered into by countries across
various regions. These agreements aim to reduce trade barriers and
facilitate smoother movement of goods and services, thereby
promoting deeper economic cooperation. RTAs play a crucial role in
bridging the gap between developed and developing economies. For
developing countries, they offer opportunities to lower trade
costs, enhance exports, and accelerate economic growth. By granting
preferential treatment to signatory countries, RTAs promote mutual
benefit through reduced tariffs, improved market access, and
investment-friendly frameworks.
General Framework of FTAs
India till now has implemented 15 FTAs and 6 PTAs, and is
negotiating more than 20 new pacts, most notably with the United
Kingdom and the European Union. The latest milestone is the
India‑EFTA Trade & Economic Partnership Agreement (March
2024) with Switzerland, Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein,
underscoring India’s shift toward high‑standard,
plurilateral deals that lower trade barriers and stimulate
investment.
Core Provisions Shared by Most Indian FTAs
Most Indian FTAs share a core set of provisions aimed at
facilitating trade and investment among partner countries. These
typically include commitments on tariff elimination or reduction,
allowing for preferential access to goods originating from the FTA
partner. Rules of Origin (RoO) play a critical role in determining
eligibility for such preferences, ensuring that only goods with
substantial economic connection to the partner country qualify.
Further, FTAs usually provide for national treatment and
most-favoured nation treatment [MFN], customs cooperation, and
trade facilitation measures to reduce procedural delays at borders.
Many agreements also include dispute settlement mechanisms,
investment protection clauses, and provisions for sanitary and
phytosanitary [SPS] standards and technical barriers to trade
[TBT]. Increasingly, India’s newer FTAs incorporate chapters on
services trade, intellectual property, e-commerce, and sustainable
development, reflecting the evolving priorities of modern trade
policy. Recently, The India-UK CETA has been signed on 24 July 2025
and negotiations were finalised on 6 May 2025 after over three
years and fifteen rounds of talk.
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