Singapore: Singapore and India on July 3 ended a second round of talks for a comprehensive economic partnership, with the liberalisation of trade in goods and services high on the agenda, a joint statement said.

"Discussions on trade in goods covered a wide range of issues, including a free-trade agreement, customs facilitation, anti-dumping and safeguard measures, dispute settlement mechanism and mutual recognition agreements," said the statement released by the Trade Ministry.

The first round of negotiations for the Comprehensive Economic Co-operation Agreement (CECA) was held in New Delhi in late May.

In services, this week's talks focused on the liberalisation of trade in information technology, telecom and the financial sector.

There were also talks on the easing of travel barriers between the two countries, and the mutual recognition of professional qualifications and university degrees.

Both nations agreed to explore proposals to launch a joint tourism marketing promotion.

India also agreed to study a suggestion to establish a facility to expedite the issuance of visas for travellers transiting Singapore for India.

Issues relating to the liberalisation of air services, facilitating investment flows and the establishment of a branch campus of the Indian Institute of Technology in Singapore were tackled, the statement said.

Agencies