India, July 22 -- India must strengthen its food safety system and ensure foreign regulations are not used as disguised trade barriers, especially with the India-EU trade pact nearing implementation, economic think tank GTRI's report said on Tuesday.

The Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) warned that in the absence of the system, India risks opening its market further to European food products while continuing to see its own agricultural exports rejected at European borders.

In January, India and the 27-nation European Union (EU) announced conclusion of a free trade agreement (FTA). It is likely to be signed by the end of this year and may come into force next year.

"With the India-EU FTA nearing implementation, India cannot affor...