India and South Korea establish sub‑groups to accelerate CEPA upgrade talks

India and South Korea agreed to set up dedicated sub‑groups on digital trade, supply‑chain cooperation and strategic industrial collaboration to speed up the upgrade of their Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The decision was taken during the 12th round of CEPA negotiations in New Delhi, co‑chaired by Joint Secretary Kapil Chaudhary of India’s commerce ministry and Park Geun‑oh of South Korea’s trade ministry.

The upgrade aims to address India’s widening trade deficit with South Korea, which reached about $15.15 billion in 2025. In the previous year, India imported $21.16 billion worth of goods from South Korea, while exports were roughly $6 billion. Both sides said they would pursue a time‑bound conclusion to create a more balanced partnership.

The expanded cooperation will cover trade in goods and services, investment, rules of origin and sanitary and phytosanitary standards, with the new sub‑groups expected to fast‑track progress in the highlighted sectors.