Rajiv Biswas: India's Emergence as a Major Trading Partner

In this interview with the Senior Asian Economist at the think-tank IHS Global Insight, Rajiv Biswas, Carla Sapsford Newman explores the reasons behind the rising Malaysian interest in India.

Recent headlines addressed include:

1. The Malaysia-India Free Trade Agreement that went into effect earlier this year;

2. Increased diplomatic and trading ties between Malaysia and India, including a special envoy to India;

3. An ASEAN proposal for a free trade zone (AFTA);

4. The proposed American-led Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement; and

5. Rising interest from Western multinationals in investing in India.

Mr. Biswas also addressed areas of Budget 2012 which will further facilitate growth in the year ahead, such as a focus on SMEs, which can help offset global economic woes in the US and Europe.