The approval was granted by the Union Cabinet at its meeting presided over by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Briefing reporters after the Cabinet meeting, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni said, "India's exclusion and sensitive lists includes agriculture, textile and auto components."

She said while South Korea's offer to break duty barriers include items of India's export interest, New Delhi has taken enough care to protect its sensitive industries and the farm sector.

The CEPA comprises six agreements relating to opening up of trade in goods, services and customs, and trade facilitation.

Signing trade pacts with South Korea and Association of South East Asian Nation (ASEAN) are part of the 100-day agenda of the UPA Government in its second term.

The CEPA negotiations had started in March 2006 and was concluded in September 2008.