New Delhi, Dec 30 (PTI) Three US-based companies are currently engaged with their Indian counterparts for mass production of COVID-19 vaccines in India, the commerce ministry said on Wednesday.

Without giving more details, the ministry said COVID-19 has led to increased trade and cooperation between India and the US.

"Three USA companies are currently engaged with their Indian counterparts for mass production of COVID-19 vaccines in India," it said while listing major highlights of the Department of Commerce during 2020.

It also said the proposed free trade agreement between India and Mauritius is near finalisation as negotiations for trade in goods and services have been completed.

In a free trade agreement, two trading partners cut or eliminate duties on majority of goods traded between them.

"India-Mauritius Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA) negotiations for trade in goods and trade in services, have been completed. The agreement is near finalisation," it added.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)