Jaishankar

expressed concern about the rules of origin and India proposed an auto trigger mechanism for safeguard duties to kick in when imports from other countries, particularly China, crossed a threshold.

After deciding not to join the deal, PM Modi had told leaders of the 15 other participating countries the deal doesn’t satisfactorily address New Delhi’s “outstanding issues and concerns”.

According to people aware of the matter, the other members will have to take the initiative to address India’s concerns before it reconsiders its decision to not join the bloc, they told HT in November. They added that India will also weigh China’s stance on strategic issues such as its bid to join the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) before making a decision on RCEP.

Meanwhile, the external affairs minister said on Wednesday India’s way is not to be disruptive but is more of a decider than an abstainer.

In remarks that come at a time several countries have called for a greater Indian role in the IndoPacific, the minister also said it is not the India way to be mercantilist. He referred to tensions between the US and Iran, and said they are two individualistic countries and what finally happens will depend on the players involved.

Noting that the world has common challenges, he said, “Terrorism is a common challenge. Separatism is a common challenge. Migration is a common challenge. World has to ask itself how do they handle these challenges. Don’t get fixated on the dots and ignore the line.”