Trade pact with China to take more time

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India's market-enlarging pact with China is not expected this year as the proposal for the Regional Trade Agreement between the two fastest growing economies will be first examined by the trade ministers of the countries.

"The two Prime Ministers have referred the report (of the Joint Study Group of officials) to their commerce ministers," Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath told reporters on the sidelines of the Partnership Summit in Gurgaon.

Nath said he did not expect the agreement this year, adding that the report of the officials would have to be examined by the Joint Economic Group, headed jointly by the two ministers. The Indian industry would also be consulted before the government goes ahead and signs the RTA, he added.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has just concluded his three-day visit to China, where he discussed a number of economic issues with the Chinese leaders.

Nath, who was part of the Indian delegation, also discussed with his Chinese counterpart joint efforts for achieving progress in the WTO Doha trade negotiations.