‘RCEP without India is not worth it’: Thai envoy ahead of Bangkok meet

In an interview with Hindustan Times' Foreign Affairs Editor Rezaul Laskar Thai ambassador Chutintorn Gongsakdi said that any deal on the 16-country Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) that doesn't include India will not be worth it. The envoy's remarks assume significance as key players, such as Malaysia, have suggested RCEP should be finalised by the year-end by the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and China, Japan and South Korea, with India, Australia and New Zealand joining at a later date.