India says it is not considering joining China-backed RCEP trade pact

India is not actively considering joining the China-backed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, government sources have said, dismissing speculation that New Delhi may be rethinking its earlier decision to stay out of the mega trade bloc.

“There is nothing on the table. We have not considered it,” a government source said. Another source described the grouping as effectively being a China-centric trade channel, underlining New Delhi’s core concern about the bloc’s trade dynamics.

Officials said India’s current trade strategy is focused on pursuing bilateral agreements with key partners rather than joining large regional groupings that could limit its ability to manage sensitive sectors. They noted that India already has bilateral trade arrangements, either completed or under negotiation, with most RCEP members except China, allowing market access goals to be met without joining the bloc.

Sources said India is mapping its trade engagements partner by partner and may reassess participation in larger frameworks only after completing a critical mass of bilateral deals. For now, RCEP is not part of the government’s active policy agenda.

The stance reflects India’s broader approach of calibrated liberalisation, aimed at protecting sensitive areas such as agriculture and manufacturing. Officials also pointed to a global shift away from uniform multilateral trade models towards bilateral deals, driven by supply chain disruptions and rising trade risks.

India exited RCEP negotiations in 2019, citing concerns over market access, rules of origin, and the risk of import surges, particularly from China. The government said its position remains unchanged.