India minister’s dismissal of Asean members as ‘China’s B team’ hits confidence in trade pact

India minister’s dismissal of Asean members as ‘China’s B team’ hits confidence in trade pact

A review of a free trade pact between Asean and India has hit a rough patch after Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal’s criticism of the accord as “silly” and some South-east Asian countries as “China’s B-team”. Last week, Indian government officials accused Asean of “stonewalling” the negotiations, prompting the Asean side to issue a communique on June 24 seeking an explanation. Read more at straitstimes.com.