India’s coal imports from Australia to attract zero duty under new FTA

India’s coal imports from Australia are likely to increase sharply as the two countries have signed a free trade agreement (FTA) striking down a 2.5% import duty levied on coal earlier. Following China’s unofficial ban of Australian coal imports, Australian shipments to India increased sharply, with thermal coal imports rising by 139% y-o-y to 21 mnt in CY’21 and coking coal imports rising 20% y-o-y to 45 mnt.