Washington DC, Jan. 28 -- Senior Advisor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Richard Rossow, on Wednesday described the recently concluded India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA) as "a celebration", highlighting a significant shift in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's trade policy from what he termed "pure play protectionism" during the Prime Minister's first term.

Speaking to ANI, Rossow said that PM Modi's initial term, beginning in 2014, was marked by a protectionist approach, characterised by higher customs duties and strict domestic manufacturing rules, to an openness (2021-2026), which focuses on high-value Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) alongside the "Atmanirbhar Bharat" (self-reliant India) initiative...