India, EU to hold trade talks tomorrow

India and the European Union enter tough negotiations tomorrow on the proposed Trade and Investment Agreement (TIA) with the 27-nation grouping keen on inclusion of the controversial labour clause but remaining ambiguous on New Delhi's demand for freer movement of people.
A high-level meeting between the two sides will be held in New Delhi from Monday on the comprehensive economic agreement which aims at eliminating trade barriers to enhance commerce between India and the EU.
At the six-day talks, the two sides will explore ways to do away with duties and easing custom procedures and discuss issues like sustainable development rules, intellectual property, procurement and movement of Indians in Europe for business.
EU wants incorporation of sustainable development in the agreement with focus on poverty-reduction, maintenance of international labour standards and ensuring that carbon emissions do not rise with increase in trade.
"The EU does not want growth in trade to affect labour standards," a senior EU official told a group of visiting Indian journalists here on condition of anonymity.