Former federal Trade Minister Andrew Robb says negotiations he spearheaded to conclude a trade deal with India came down to about 20 core issues but the talks stalled due to resistance by the Indian bureaucracy, rather than political forces.
But he believes the potential to strike a final agreement remains strong due to the high level of good-will established between the two trading partners in recent years.
The one-time Liberal MP and National Farmers’ Federation executive director said an agreement would offer a great opportunity for Australia to provide services to India that could enhance domestic agricultural production, such as irrigation.
He said selling Australian farm goods into the potentially lucrative food market would require a two-step process.
