July 2, 2025

Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal convened on Monday to propel conversations regarding the incorporation of social security schemes in Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). The focus of the meeting was to explore the possibilities of including provisions for social security of expatriates in FTAs. The Indian government is keen on frontloading such schemes in the FTAs to ensure a secure and stable future for Indian expats residing in countries with which India shares trade agreements. This move is aimed at safeguarding the interests and well-being of Indian expatriates by extending social security benefits to them, especially in the United States FTA trade deals. The discussions between the two ministers reflect India's commitment to enhancing the welfare and protection of its expat community through strategic policy measures in the international trade arena. As the discussions progress, both parties are expected to work towards aligning the social security provisions with the broader objectives of the FTAs to ensure balanced and mutually beneficial agreements for all stakeholders involved. This initiative underscores the Indian government's proactive approach in addressing the needs and concerns of its expatriate population, demonstrating a progressive outlook towards ensuring their social and financial security in the global trade landscape.

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Tags: Labour minister, Commerce minister, Social security schemes, Ftas, India, Fta trade deals,