PTI New Delhi

India and the European Union have agreed to continue discussions on issues pertaining to steel, auto, and carbon tax, as these areas carry higher sensitivities, under the proposed free trade agreement, the commerce ministry said on Wednesday.

India has also pitched for ensuring redressal of both tariff and non-tariff barriers in the pact, besides creating transparent and predictable regulatory frameworks to boost bilateral trade, it said.

These issues came up for discussions during the three-day visit of Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal to Brussels. He met EU Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic and gave an impetus to the ongoing negotiations.

The minister's official visit concluded on October 28.

"They also agreed that issues related to steel, auto, CBAM (carbon border adjustment mechanism), and other EU regulations still require further discussion, as these issues have higher sensitivities," the ministry said.

Goyal bats for resilient supply chains

Minister Piyush Goyal on Wednesday said it is important for the country to have resilient supply chains, control over key technologies and reducing overdependence on certain geographies.

He said the call to promote 'swadeshi' products is not just about making in India, designing or developing in India, but is key to the country's long-term growth and sovereignty. He added that reducing dependence on foreign technologies, foreign weapons, foreign energy sources and foreign critical technologies is important for the country's growth.