An independent working group under chief economic advisor Arvind Subramanian has been constituted to examine the impact of free trade agreements (FTAs) sig-ned by India, the government informed Parlia-ment on Monday.

“The ministry of finance has constituted an independent working group under the chairmanship of the chief economic advisor to examine the impact of FTAs signed by India”, commerce and industry minister Nirmala Sithar-aman said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.

There has been a debate going on whether FTA signed by the country has negative economic impact on India’s trade. India has signed FTAs with countries such as Japan, South Korea, Sing-apore, and Asean group.

The group would undertake an analysis of bilateral trade and investment flows with the countries with which India has signed FTAs, comprehensive economic co-operation agreements and other trade pacts, said the minister.