Sri Lanka, Bangladesh in queue to join RCEP: Singapore foreign minister

Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan revealed that Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Hong Kong are eager to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). He noted India's initial anxiety over trade imbalances with China led to its withdrawal. Despite India's absence, RCEP is progressing, with Singapore envisioning it as a key component of a broader Asia-Pacific free trade area.