» National Consultation on India’s Free Trade Agreements
On August 31 and September 1st, the Forum on FTAs held a National Consultation on India’s FTAs at the Indian Social Institute, New Delhi (Agenda of the Consultation). This consultation brought together representatives of trade unions, social movements, peoples’ collectives, academic institutions, non-government organisations, civil society organisations and concerned individuals to discuss the implications of Government of India’s bilateral and regional FTAs being negotiated with both developed and developing countries. The two-day meeting included four thematic workshops, aimed at understanding specific linkages between FTAs and agricultural and fish sectors; Impact on workers and community rights over natural resources; Impact on health and on the inclusion of services in FTAs.
A Statement of Unity was drafted; which resumes the main concerns regarding the impacts of FTAs for India and clearly states an opposition to India signing FTAs. Presentations and papers circulated during the event will soon be available on the Forum on FTAs website (Forum on FTAs).