The Indo-Thai free trade agreement is likely to be signed by September. The agreement will initially cover goods and include services and investment at a later stage.
"Negotiations for the FTA will re-start in July. The signing of the deal covering goods is likely to be over by September," Commerce Minister Kamal Nath said on the sidelines of a meeting organised by the CII, Assocham and Ficci. The meeting was attended by Prime Minister of Thailand Surayud Chulanont.
Thailand has agreed to start parallel talks for including goods, investment and services in the FTA. "After the FTA on goods becomes effective, provisions relating to investment and services will be added to it," said a commerce ministry official.
Talks on goods are at an advanced stage, though those on services and investments are yet to cover significant ground.
"The two nations are on track to conclude the FTA in the near future. The FTA covering trade in goods is likely to be effective by 2010," Chulanont said.