Four-nation parliamentary panel optimistic about making trade deal

Ahead of the EFTA trade ministers visit to India, a parliamentary committee from the four-nation grouping on Thursday expressed confidence that negotiators on both sides would find “compromises” to clinch the much-delayed trade deal. Parliamentarians from member countries Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland, led by Labour Party lawmaker from Norway Trine Lise Sundnes, held meetings with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, officials in the External Affairs Ministry and industry representatives as part of efforts to give “political impetus” to “conclude” the negotiations for a trade agreement with India.
“We are pleased with the outcome of the visit. Our aim was to lend support to the ongoing negotiations in view of giving a political impetus to conclude them. We believe that we reached our goal,” Sundnes told PTI in an interview here. Sundnes is the head of the delegation of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Parliamentary Committee which advises member nations on all issues relevant to the grouping such as its relations with trade partners worldwide.