- India's Secretary (Power) held a bilateral meeting with Mr. Gerassimos Thomas, Director General for Taxation and Customs Union, European Commission. - Discussions centered on trade implications and decarbonization efforts, specifically concerning the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). - Both sides addressed regulatory alignment, carbon pricing, and the impact of cross-border environmental taxes on Indian exports and energy sectors. - **Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM):** A trade policy instrument introduced by the European Union requiring importers of carbon-intensive goods (e.g., steel, aluminum, cement) to purchase certificates reflecting the carbon emissions embedded in their production. - **European Commission:** The politically independent executive arm of the European Union responsible for proposing legislation, enforcing EU law, managing policies, and representing the EU in international trade negotiations. - **Directorate-General for Taxation and Customs Union (DG TAXUD):** A directorate-general of the European Commission responsible for formulating and implementing EU policies on taxation, customs unions, and managing border regulatory instruments like the CBAM. - **Ministry of Power, Government of India:** The apex administrative body of the Government of India responsible for formulating policies, planning, and overseeing the country's power sector, generation, transmission, and energy transition initiatives. **Introduction** The Secretary (Power) of India held a high-level bilateral meeting with Mr. Gerassimos Thomas, Director General for Taxation and Customs Union, European Commission, to discuss critical climate-trade matters including the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and its implications for Indian industries and power sector. **Core Issue and Detailed Points** - India's Secretary (Power) held a bilateral meeting with Mr. Gerassimos Thomas, Director General for Taxation and Customs Union, European Commission. - Discussions centered on trade implications and decarbonization efforts, specifically concerning the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). - Both sides addressed regulatory alignment, carbon pricing, and the impact of cross-border environmental taxes on Indian exports and energy sectors. **Key Statutory Bodies, Acts & Concepts** - **Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM):** A trade policy instrument introduced by the European Union requiring importers of carbon-intensive goods (e.g., steel, aluminum, cement) to purchase certificates reflecting the carbon emissions embedded in their production. - **European Commission:** The politically independent executive arm of the European Union responsible for proposing legislation, enforcing EU law, managing policies, and representing the EU in international trade negotiations. - **Directorate-General for Taxation and Customs Union (DG TAXUD):** A directorate-general of the European Commission responsible for formulating and implementing EU policies on taxation, customs unions, and managing border regulatory instruments like the CBAM. - **Ministry of Power, Government of India:** The apex administrative body of the Government of India responsible for formulating policies, planning, and overseeing the country's power sector, generation, transmission, and energy transition initiatives.