The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, as an open and inclusive free trade agreement, welcomes all parties including India to participate, the Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday.

On Aug 21, all 15 RCEP economies convened for the second ministerial meeting after the pact was implemented, where they continued discussions on the admission of new members and resolved to reach consensus faster, said Shu Jueting, spokeswoman for the ministry.

According to stipulations in the agreement, India, as the RCEP's original negotiator, has been free to apply for participation since the deal entered into force on Jan 1 last year, Shu said, adding the RCEP is open to all parties, including India.