Ban on mangoes, vegetables can impact India-European Union trade

London: EU’s decision to ban the import of Indian mangoes is “ill-conceived and misguided” and could impact the 28-member bloc’s negotiations on an FTA with India, a leading European trade body on Tuesday said.The Brussels-based EICC issued a statement on the ban of Indian Alphonsos and some vegetables which comes into force from May 1.

“The EU bureaucracy thinks that this decision will strengthen its bargaining position on FTA (Free Trade Agreement) and other bilateral issues with the new government but the EU’s thinking is ‘misplaced’ and will only harden India’s new government’s attitude towards EU,” warned Sunil Prasad, secretary general, EICC which was set up to promote bilateral trade and economic relations between EU and India.