.What followed was a “careful calibration” with the govt refusing to cut duties on “sensitive sectors” such as wine and spirits and automobiles. The fear was that domestic manufacturing would be hurt and grape farmers would be adversely impacted. In any case, anything to do with farmers was a no-go zone.Things began to change with an interim deal with Australia in 2022, which followed India’s decision to walk out of RCEP, the regional grouping led by China. For the first time, govt showed boldness in loweri ...