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24th December 2024 (14 Topics)

EFTA-India TEPA

Context

The Swiss government recently announced its decision to suspend the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) clause in the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) with India. However, the decision will not delay the ratification and implementation of EFTA-India TEPA.

What is EFTA-India TEPA?

  • India and the four-nation European Free Trade Association (EFTA) signed the pact, officially dubbed as TEPA (Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement), in March.
  • Its members are Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.
  • This trade agreement is expected to enhance trade relations between India and the EFTA bloc, including Switzerland, irrespective of the MFN issue.
  • The agreement is yet to be implemented.

India-Switzerland Trade

  • In 2023-24, India's imports from Switzerland stood at USD 21.24 billion, in stark contrast to its exports of USD 1.52 billion, leading to a substantial trade deficit of USD 19.72 billion.
  • India received about USD 10.72 billion in foreign direct investments from Switzerland between April 2000 and September 2024.
  • European Free Trade Association (EFTA)
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  • EFTA is an important regional group, with several growing opportunities for enhancing international trade in goods and services.
  • EFTA is one important economic block out of the three (other two - EU &UK) in Europe.
  • Among EFTA countries, Switzerland is the largest trading partner of India followed by Norway.

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