New Delhi

CHINA has sought talks with India to allay concerns on a regional free trade pact it is spearheading, two people familiar with the matter said, as Beijing seeks newer markets amid the ongoing trade war with the US.

The 16-country Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) has been in the works for a while and China is keen to conclude it by end of 2019, the people said, asking not to be identified as the matter is not public yet. India's wariness about a possible flood of Chinese goods, and its demand for looser immigration rules for its tech professionals remain sticking points.

China's inability to close the trade deal highlights the continuing suspicion among its Asian trading partners over Beijing's effort to increase its influence in the region. RCEP, along with the Belt and Road Initiative to build investment and trade links with countries along the old Silk Road to Europe, is a key element in China's efforts to seize the geopolitical advantage following what many in the region see as a US retreat under President Donald Trump.

India's foreign ministry didn't immediately respond to a message seeking comments. China's commerce and foreign affairs ministries didn't immediately respond to a fax either.

The meeting is likely to take place before the end of this month, and New Delhi has drawn up a list of issues it will take up with Asia's largest economy. That includes providing zero-duty access to fewer Chinese goods as opposed to those offered to other members of RCEP. It also will seek a longer period to phase out levies on Chinese goods compared to 20 years offered to the others.

India's imports from China have been rising for a while with the deficit reaching US$55.6 billion in 2017 compared to US$48.19 billion in 2015. A resolution of the stalemate appears unlikely any time soon as RCEP member countries such as Australia, India and Indonesia go into elections in 2019. Apart from China, India is planning to reach out to key players like Singapore and Australia to seek a consensus on these issues. BLOOMBERG