Summary of the Fifth Round of Negotiations on the Japan - India Economic Partnership Agreement

January, 2008

1. The Fifth Round of Negotiations on the Japan - India Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) was held from January 8 (Tue) to 11 (Fri), 2008 at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in New Delhi, India.
2. In this Round, the Japanese delegation was led by Mr. Sumio Kusaka, Deputy Director-General of the Economic Affaires Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (coordinator for the Japanese co-chairs) and other Director-General-level co-chairs from relevant ministries and the Indian delegation was led by Shri Dinesh Sharma, Joint Secretary, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry (Indian co-chair). Experts from relevant ministries and agencies from both sides also participated in the meetings.
3. A summary of the discussion is as follows:
   • (1) At this round, the negotiations were overviewed in the plenary session and such issues as market access in trade in goods, other issues relating to trade in goods (rules of origin, customs procedures), trade in services, investment, intellectual property, general/final provisions, other areas (non-tariff measures (SPS, TBT), competition) were discussed in the sessions either at the working-level (co-chair-level) or at the expert-level. Good progress was made in all the negotiating area during this negotiating round.
   • (2) Regarding the market access of trade in goods, both sides agreed on the modalities of the negotiations and to proceed to the exchange of offers.
4. The next sixth round of negotiations will be held in Tokyo toward the end of March and the detailed schedule will be determined through diplomatic channels.