11th Round of India–Australia CECA Negotiations Concludes in New Delhi

India and Australia wrapped up the latest round of CECA negotiations in New Delhi from August 18 to 23, marking another important milestone toward a comprehensive trade pact.

The discussions covered a broad and evolving spectrum, extending beyond traditional trade areas like goods and services to also include digital trade, mobility, rules of origin, and legal and institutional frameworks such as environment, labor, and gender considerations. These inclusions point to a modern and inclusive approach aiming for deeper integration.

Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to concluding a balanced and mutually beneficial agreement. To preserve negotiation momentum, they have agreed to continue deliberations through virtual intersession meetings This CECA builds on the existing Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA), which took effect in December 2022. While ECTA covered five core areas, CECA expands into a broader set of issues including competition policy, MSMEs, innovation, agri-tech, critical minerals, and even sports—areas that reflect evolving global trade priorities.

The Ministry of Commerce highlighted that this round underscores India’s growing trade diplomacy, driven by both national priorities and global ambitions. Over the past five years, India has signed several major trade agreements, including CECPA with Mauritius (2021), CEPA with the UAE and ECTA with Australia (2022), EFTA TEPA (2024), and CETA with the UK (2025)—though CETA is yet to come into force. India continues to pursue agreements with Oman, the EU, Sri Lanka, Peru, Chile, New Zealand, and the U.S., while also reviewing older pacts like the ASEAN-India Goods Agreement (2009) and the India-Korea CEPA (2009). Additionally, a Terms of Reference for an FTA with the Eurasian Economic Union was signed this week, initiating negotiations with members like Armenia, Kazakhstan, and Russia.