India’s FTA negotiations with UK may hit a roadblock
1 year, 2 months ago

India’s FTA negotiations with UK may hit a roadblock

Hindustan Times  

New Delhi India’s negotiations with the UK for a trade deal could hit a roadblock as Indian industries are unwilling to offer import duty concessions to British manufacturers without London allowing easier mobility for Indian professionals, people with direct knowledge of the talks said on Monday. If business mobility – or easier temporary movement of Indian professionals to the UK for business purposes – is taken out of the free trade agreement negotiations, there won’t be any significant gain for India as most Indian goods already have duty-free access to the UK market, and most of the other items attract a low tariff of 5%, the people said, requesting anonymity. A trade deal could help Indian exporters gain access to the UK market, including India’s 48 million small and medium enterprises. The Disposal Company CEO Bhagyashree Bhansali said: “Without a doubt, business mobility should be an integral part of the proposed FTA with the UK, and it’s imperative for the agreement to be truly beneficial for India.

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History of this topic

India-UK FTA talks likely to resume in April-June to resolve pending issues
1 week, 1 day ago

India-UK FTA talks likely to resume in April-June to resolve pending issues

Live Mint  

New Delhi: India and the UK are expected to restart talks on their proposed free trade agreement between April and June, the first quarter of the UK’s fiscal year, two people aware of the matter said. However, with the change in leadership in the UK, it is not yet certain that the 14th round of talks, which began in January, …

India-UK trade talks to focus on key tariff barriers and emerging sectors
1 month ago

India-UK trade talks to focus on key tariff barriers and emerging sectors

Live Mint  

The India-UK free trade agreement talks that are set to resume in early 2025 will focus on a range of critical areas including market access, regulatory frameworks, and tariff barriers. A successful FTA would facilitate increased trade across sectors like technology, agriculture, and manufacturing, while also deepening diplomatic ties, said Abhash Kumar, assistant professor of economics at Delhi University. India …

India-UK FTA talks: Both sides seek to bridge gaps to close deal expeditiously
1 month ago

India-UK FTA talks: Both sides seek to bridge gaps to close deal expeditiously

Live Mint  

New Delhi, Nov 20 India and the UK would seek to bridge the differences for expeditious conclusion of the proposed free trade agreement as Britain has announced resuming the negotiations early next year, an official statement said on Wednesday. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that trade talks with India will relaunch in the new year, following his bilateral …

FTA, extraditions in focus as PM meets UK’s Starmer
1 month ago

FTA, extraditions in focus as PM meets UK’s Starmer

Hindustan Times  

Resumption of talks for a trade deal and the extradition of fugitive economic offenders figured prominently in talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his British counterpart Keir Starmer on the margins of the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro on Monday. Modi also raised the issue of extraditing economic offenders wanted by India with Starmer, and announced that two …

Work-visa focus in FTA talks doesn’t help India
1 month ago

Work-visa focus in FTA talks doesn’t help India

Hindustan Times  

For decades, India has been obsessively focused on securing commitments for work visas in its trade negotiations, particularly when negotiating Free Trade Agreements. The negotiating leverage and political capital spent on securing such commitments could be better utilised in negotiating for lower tariffs and meaningful market access There are several reasons why the whole approach is outdated. The current strategy …

India, United Kingdom to resume FTA talks in 2025
1 month ago

India, United Kingdom to resume FTA talks in 2025

Hindustan Times  

India and the UK will resume talks on a trade deal early next year to address the remaining issues and finalise a balanced and forward-looking free trade agreement following a pause of several months due to elections in both countries. Modi also raised the issue of extraditing economic offenders wanted by India with Starmer, and announced that two new Indian …

UK and India revive FTA talks after PMs Keir Starmer and Narendra Modi meet at G20 Summit in Rio, ‘step forward…’
1 month ago

UK and India revive FTA talks after PMs Keir Starmer and Narendra Modi meet at G20 Summit in Rio, ‘step forward…’

Live Mint  

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that free trade agreement talks with India will restart from 2025, PTI reported. In an official statement from the UK PM's address 10, Downing Street, the country would seek a new strategic partnership with India, including a trade agreement and deep cooperation in areas such as security, education, technology and climate change, the …

UK to relaunch ‘vital’ trade talks with India in early 2025
1 month ago

UK to relaunch ‘vital’ trade talks with India in early 2025

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The UK is set to relaunch trade talks with India at …

India Clarifies FTA Progress, Talks With EU and UK on Track
1 month ago

India Clarifies FTA Progress, Talks With EU and UK on Track

Deccan Chronicle  

New Delhi: Negotiations for all the proposed free trade agreements or FTA, including those with the UK and European Union, are progressing as per the schedule. In the coming weeks, a bilateral meeting is scheduled between the commerce secretary and the Director-General of the European Union to take stock of the negotiations for the proposed trade agreement with the European …

India committed to Free Trade Agreement with the U.K., says Modi
4 months, 4 weeks ago

India committed to Free Trade Agreement with the U.K., says Modi

The Hindu  

India is committed to concluding a Free Trade Agreement with the United Kingdom, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, after meeting the visiting Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs David Lammy — the highest ranking official from the United Kingdom to visit India since the Labour party won a landslide victory in the recent election. Mr. …

UK foreign secretary David Lammy to visit India, FTA to top agenda
5 months ago

UK foreign secretary David Lammy to visit India, FTA to top agenda

Hindustan Times  

As India and the UK prepare for a visit by British foreign secretary David Lammy to New Delhi this week, negotiations for a bilateral trade deal could be prolonged as Britain’s new Labour Party government is expected to reopen certain key issues, people familiar with the matter said. The negotiations for the FTA could be prolonged as the new UK …

India-UK ties: Dump the old baggage and focus on trade and multilateralism
5 months, 2 weeks ago

India-UK ties: Dump the old baggage and focus on trade and multilateralism

Live Mint  

Keir Starmer finally has the mandate and credentials to shake off the historical burden which has dogged ties between India and Britain’s Labour Party since the 1930s, a long arc that began with the jaundiced view taken of Mahatma Gandhi by Ramsay MacDonald, Labour’s first elected prime minister, and terminated in former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s apparent positions on Indian …

India, U.K. to hold next round of talks on proposed trade agreement in July
5 months, 2 weeks ago

India, U.K. to hold next round of talks on proposed trade agreement in July

The Hindu  

With the new government taking charge in Britain, senior officials of India and the U.K. will hold the next round of talks this month for the proposed free trade agreement to resolve the pending issues and close the negotiations, an official said. The Indian industry is demanding greater access for its skilled professionals from sectors like IT and healthcare in …

India, UK to resume negotiations on free trade agreement in next few weeks: Official
5 months, 2 weeks ago

India, UK to resume negotiations on free trade agreement in next few weeks: Official

India TV News  

New Delhi: With the new government taking charge in Britain, senior officials of India and the UK will hold the next round of talks this month for the proposed free trade agreement to resolve the pending issues and close the negotiations, an official told news agency PTI. The Indian industry is demanding greater access for its skilled professionals from sectors …

UK Elections 2024: What is Labour Party's stance on free trade agreement with India?
5 months, 3 weeks ago

UK Elections 2024: What is Labour Party's stance on free trade agreement with India?

India TV News  

London: The United Kingdom has moved into its final phase of campaigning ahead of the national elections scheduled for Thursday in a high-stakes contest between the Conservative and the Labour Party, with the Rishi Sunak-led party predicted to be ousted from power after 14 years. India-UK FTA talks Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sunak, along with the delegations from the …

Labour will reset partnership with India, says Shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy
5 months, 4 weeks ago

Labour will reset partnership with India, says Shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy

The Hindu  

Days before the U.K.’s general election, the opposition Labour Party’s shadow Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, reiterated that his party would reset its relationship with India. Referring to former Conservative U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s recital of a colonial-era Rudyard Kipling poem during a visit to a temple in Myanmar, Mr Lammy said, to applause, “If I recite a poem, it …

India, U.K. reaffirm FTA commitment at Strategic Dialogue
7 months ago

India, U.K. reaffirm FTA commitment at Strategic Dialogue

The Hindu  

India and Britain have reaffirmed their commitment to conclude a mutually beneficial free trade agreement at the annual U.K.-India Strategic Dialogue in London, as the two sides reflected the "good progress" on the 2030 Roadmap since the last review. “The two reflected on good progress on the 2030 Roadmap since the last review, noting key areas where the UK and …

India, UK note 'good progress' on 2030 Roadmap, reaffirm FTA commitment
7 months ago

India, UK note 'good progress' on 2030 Roadmap, reaffirm FTA commitment

India TV News  

London: Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra, who was on an official two-day to the United Kingdom, took part in the annual India-UK Strategic Dialogue with his counterpart, Sir Philip Barton, Permanent Under-Secretary at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, where they discussed the "good progress" made in the 2030 Roadmap between the two countries. “The two reflected on good progress on …

India raises issue of pharma pricing control in Australia
7 months, 2 weeks ago

India raises issue of pharma pricing control in Australia

Deccan Chronicle  

New Delhi: India has raised the issue of pharmaceutical pricing control in Australia, particularly on generic medicines, during a recent bilateral meeting between the officials of the two countries.The two sides have decided to work closely on timely resolution of market access issues, deepen people-to-people contacts, and create an institutional mechanism for sharing of preferential import data, the commerce ministry …

Mobility issues, carbon tax exemption, and visas key issues in trade talks between India and the UK
8 months ago

Mobility issues, carbon tax exemption, and visas key issues in trade talks between India and the UK

Live Mint  

The UK is unlikely to accept an Indian request to be exempted from a proposed carbon tax, a British daily reported, even as a four-member team of senior commerce ministry officials from New Delhi continued talks in London to try and iron out unresolved issues holding back a free trade agreement. The team, which left for the UK on 16 …

FTA ‘possible’ before India elections, says U.K. Trade Minister Kemi Badenoch
9 months, 2 weeks ago

FTA ‘possible’ before India elections, says U.K. Trade Minister Kemi Badenoch

The Hindu  

A trade deal being negotiated with India is "possible" to be concluded before a general election in the country but Britain does not want to use that as a deadline, U.K. Secretary of State for Business and Trade Kemi Badenoch has said. The Minister in charge of signing off on the free trade agreement, now in its 14th round of …

Ideas of India 3.0: India, UK Can Secure A Mutually Beneficial Trade Deal, Says British Politician Suella Braverman
9 months, 4 weeks ago

Ideas of India 3.0: India, UK Can Secure A Mutually Beneficial Trade Deal, Says British Politician Suella Braverman

ABP News  

British politician and member of the Parliament, Suella Braverman, said on Saturday that India and the UK have an opportunity to collaborate and work together on the world stage. That is why the post-Brexit UK heralds a great opportunity for a UK-India trade deal, the works for both our nations to double the trade to potentially 86 billion pounds, doubling …

India's Trade Deals With Oman, UK, EFTA Bloc Reflect Worldwide Economic Integration: GTRI
10 months ago

India's Trade Deals With Oman, UK, EFTA Bloc Reflect Worldwide Economic Integration: GTRI

ABP News  

The successful finalisation of India's proposed trade agreements with the UK, Oman, and the four-nation bloc EFTA in Europe will underscore its dedication to trade liberalisation and economic integration. The report further highlighted that the three agreements with the UK, Oman, and the European Free Trade Association indicate a transition in India's preference for trade alliances from east to west. …

Indian official delegation heads for London for FTA talks
10 months ago

Indian official delegation heads for London for FTA talks

Hindustan Times  

The chief negotiators of both the countries would hold negotiations on different issues such as goods, services, and rules of origin. The Indian industry is demanding greater access for its skilled professionals from sectors like IT and healthcare in the UK market, besides market access for several goods at nil customs duty. On the other hand, the UK is seeking …

India-UK free trade agreement talks in advanced stage: Commerce secretary
10 months, 1 week ago

India-UK free trade agreement talks in advanced stage: Commerce secretary

New Indian Express  

NEW DELHI: Negotiations between India and the United Kingdom for the proposed free trade agreement are at an advanced stage, Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal said Thursday adding that the deliberations are taking time as India wants to protect its interest. “India should commercially gain out of it and we should be able to safeguard the interest of our farmers, production …

India okay for Scotch whisky import, conditions apply
10 months, 2 weeks ago

India okay for Scotch whisky import, conditions apply

Live Mint  

With the proposed India-UK free-trade agreement in the last leg of discussions, Indian negotiators proposed to allow Scotch whisky import in barrels and bottles, but will bargain for mobility and migration related issues, two officials who are part of the negotiating team said. The 14th and final round of discussions for the India-UK FTA, which started on 10 January, is …

India-UK FTA: British delegation to arrive Monday for concluding round of talks
11 months ago

India-UK FTA: British delegation to arrive Monday for concluding round of talks

Live Mint  

A delegation from the United Kingdom will arrive in India on 22 January to discuss remaining aspects of the free-trade agreement negotiations between the two countries, said two people aware of the matter. A majority of the issues in the proposed FTA between India and the UK are either finalised or at an advanced stage of talks, said one of …

Majority of India-U.K. FTA issues either closed or at advanced stage of talks: official
11 months, 1 week ago

Majority of India-U.K. FTA issues either closed or at advanced stage of talks: official

The Hindu  

Majority of the issues in the proposed free trade agreement between India and the U.K. are either finalised or at an advanced stage of talks, a government official said on January 15. On the progress on the proposed trade deal between India and the European Union, he said the seventh round of talks will be held from February 19-23 here. …

'Nobody asks why isn't UK quickly signing up?', Jaishankar over delay in signing India-UK FTA
1 year ago

'Nobody asks why isn't UK quickly signing up?', Jaishankar over delay in signing India-UK FTA

India TV News  

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has taken strong objection to those criticising New Delhi for delays in firming up the proposed free trade agreement with the UK and said careful scrutiny is required as such pacts could impact the livelihoods of people. "I hear this naysayers' narrative coming back -- why isn't India quickly signing up with the UK? FTA …

14th round of India-UK FTA dialogues to start in January
1 year ago

14th round of India-UK FTA dialogues to start in January

Live Mint  

The fourteenth round of free trade agreement negotiations between India and the UK will start in January 2024, the ministry of commerce and industry said in an official statement on Monday. According to the government, India-UK free trade agreement talks completed 13 rounds of negotiations that took place from 18 September to 15 December. India’s demand for visas for professionals …

Optimistic on trade agreement ahead of elections: Swiss, Norway Ministers
1 year ago

Optimistic on trade agreement ahead of elections: Swiss, Norway Ministers

The Hindu  

No timeline can be given on the conclusion of talks between India and four Nordic countries of the European Free Trade Association for a Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement, said the Trade Ministers of Switzerland and Norway during a visit to Delhi. Government officials indicated that though the most recent round of talks between trade negotiators from India and the …

India to receive Trade Ministers from Switzerland, Norway for ‘critical talks’ this week
1 year ago

India to receive Trade Ministers from Switzerland, Norway for ‘critical talks’ this week

The Hindu  

As Trade Ministers from Switzerland and Norway visit Delhi this week, officials say they remain optimistic of reaching an agreement on a trade pact with Nordic countries in the next few months, although several outstanding issues remain and Indian trade negotiators are busy trying to close other FTAs with the U.K. and Australia. Talks about TEPA and a Bilateral Investment …

'Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham', UK leader describes Free Trade Agreement talks with India
1 year, 1 month ago

'Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham', UK leader describes Free Trade Agreement talks with India

India TV News  

The UK's Opposition Leader Keir Starmer has described the ups and downs of the government's negotiations towards a free trade agreement with India as 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham' and committed the Labour Party to pursuing an "always happy" bilateral relationship. "We will be rebuilding Britain's reputation on the international stage and that means a new strategic partnership with India," said …

After FTA, India and Australia to boost economic ties
1 year, 1 month ago

After FTA, India and Australia to boost economic ties

Hindustan Times  

New Delhi HT Image After successful conclusion of a preliminary free trade agreement last year, India and Australia have started discussions to take bilateral ties forward in areas such as digital trade, micro, small and medium enterprises, traditional knowledge, labour, and sports, two people aware of the development said. New Delhi and Canberra concluded the seventh round of talks regarding …

India's trade trajectory: FTAs and beyond
1 year, 1 month ago

India's trade trajectory: FTAs and beyond

Live Mint  

India has been refining its global trade strategy, emphasizing a fresh outlook on Free Trade Agreements. India's readiness to face these emerging challenges will determine how well it can fulfil its ambitions of becoming an export-oriented manufacturing hub Not so long ago, India embarked on a journey to strengthen its trade relations with several nations, forging FTAs that promised mutual …

India-U.K. free trade agreement | Next round of talks expected soon
1 year, 1 month ago

India-U.K. free trade agreement | Next round of talks expected soon

The Hindu  

Chief negotiators of India and the U.K. are expected to soon hold next round of talks for the proposed free trade agreement to iron out differences on issues such as automobiles, medical devices, and movement of professionals, an official said. Issues which need resolution include rules of origin; intellectual property rights ; social security agreement; duty concessions on electric vehicles, …

'Hope to find 'landing point' that works for both sides': Jaishankar on India-UK FTA
1 year, 1 month ago

'Hope to find 'landing point' that works for both sides': Jaishankar on India-UK FTA

Firstpost  

“…We are focusing on what is officially called an Enhanced Trade Partnership, in common terms it’s called an FTA… And that is today very much the focus of what the Indian and British systems are negotiating, and we hope we will find a landing point that works for both of us,” said Jaishankar The free trade agreement is a major …

India-UK FTA: Jaishankar hopes both sides will find a workable ’landing point’
1 year, 1 month ago

India-UK FTA: Jaishankar hopes both sides will find a workable ’landing point’

Live Mint  

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who is on a five-day official visit to the United Kingdom to give “new impetus to the friendly ties”, Monday said India and Britain are currently focusing on a free trade agreement and hoped that both the countries would find a "landing point" workable for both of them. The Indian foreign minister said the Agenda …

India, UK Trade Ministers Discuss Progress Of Negotiations On Proposed FTA
1 year, 1 month ago

India, UK Trade Ministers Discuss Progress Of Negotiations On Proposed FTA

ABP News  

India and the UK trade ministers on Saturday reviewed the progress of ongoing negotiations for the proposed free trade agreement. Goyal informed via the social media platform, X that he and the UK trade minister ‘discussed the progress of India-UK Free Trade Agreement negotiations’. Discussed the progress of India-UK Free Trade Agreement negotiations with @KemiBadenoch, UK's Secretary of State for …

‘Limited benefit for India in trade deal with UK’
1 year, 2 months ago

‘Limited benefit for India in trade deal with UK’

Live Mint  

The India-UK free trade agreement is expected to yield only limited benefits for India, as many of its exports to the UK already enjoy low or zero tariffs, a new research report has said. “While textiles, apparel, footwear, agricultural products and certain other items stand to benefit from tariff reductions, substantial growth in Indian exports to the UK will ultimately …

Indian Exports To Receive Limited Benefit From FTA With UK: GTRI
1 year, 2 months ago

Indian Exports To Receive Limited Benefit From FTA With UK: GTRI

ABP News  

India’s high-quality labour-intensive goods would be at an advantage from the removal of import duties by the UK, as per the proposed free trade agreement between the two countries, think tank GTRI said. GTRI co-founder, Ajay Srivastava said, that the average duty on goods imported from India into the UK is 4.2 per cent. India’s merchandise imports from the UK …

India, UK start weekly FTA negotiations, says official
1 year, 2 months ago

India, UK start weekly FTA negotiations, says official

Live Mint  

New Delhi: India and the UK have begun weekly trade negotiations, as both the nations look to complete negotiations for a free trade agreement soonest, India's commerce secretary Sunil Bharthwal said on Friday. This comes amid reports that India and the United Kingdom could sign the proposed FTA by the end of October 2023, with UK prime minister Rishi Sunak …

India-UK likely to sign FTA deal by October end: Report
1 year, 2 months ago

India-UK likely to sign FTA deal by October end: Report

Live Mint  

India and the United Kingdom are expected to sign a proposed free-trade agreement deal at the end of October 2023, according to a report published by Economic Times. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has earlier reiterated his commitment to closer India-UK ties across different sectors, including a FTA, between the two countries. A 30-member official delegation from the UK started …

‘Hope we can get it done’: Rishi Sunak on UK-India trade deal
1 year, 2 months ago

‘Hope we can get it done’: Rishi Sunak on UK-India trade deal

Live Mint  

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has reiterated his commitment to closer India-UK ties across different sectors, including a free trade agreement between the two countries. Addressing a reception by the diaspora group Conservative Friends of India on the sidelines of the ongoing Conservative Party conference in Manchester on Monday evening, the British Indian leader began by reflecting upon his “successful” …

'I hope we can...' British PM Rishi Sunak reiterates commitment to India-UK free trade deal
1 year, 2 months ago

'I hope we can...' British PM Rishi Sunak reiterates commitment to India-UK free trade deal

India TV News  

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Monday expressed his commitment to closer India-UK relations across various sectors, including the much-talked-about free trade deal between the two countries. "At the G20, we really saw a glimpse of what the future of that relationship can be, with closer cooperation on absolutely everything from trade to defence, innovation, security, research, and I hope… …

U.K. says India trade talks 'continue as before' amid Canada allegations
1 year, 3 months ago

U.K. says India trade talks 'continue as before' amid Canada allegations

The Hindu  

The U.K. government said on September 19 that the "serious allegations" over the murder of a Sikh separatist leader in Canada will not impact its own ongoing trade negotiations with India. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s spokesperson at 10 Downing Street was asked about the impact the issue may have on India-U.K. relations after a government spokesperson said the U.K. remains …

India, Britain Close to Sealing Free Trade Deal
1 year, 3 months ago

India, Britain Close to Sealing Free Trade Deal

Deccan Chronicle  

NEW DELHI: A Free Trade Agreement between India and the United Kingdom is on the verge of being finalised, with India expressing optimism about ongoing negotiations to resolve differences concerning the proposed FTA. Earlier in the day, the India-UK Economic Financial Dialogue took place in New Delhi, addressing a range of issues encompassing macroeconomics, financial services, trade, infrastructure, investments, and …

India, UK agree to expedite long-delayed Free Trade Agreement
1 year, 3 months ago

India, UK agree to expedite long-delayed Free Trade Agreement

Firstpost  

At a joint press conference with UK Chancellor of Exchequer Jeremy Hunt, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said both countries intend to expedite the free trade agreement India and the United Kingdom on Monday expressed their commitment to an early conclusion of the long-delayed free trade agreement between the two countries. Addressing a joint press conference with UK Chancellor of Exchequer …

Confident of striking a modern, forward-looking free trade agreement: British PM Rishi Sunak on trade ties with India
1 year, 3 months ago

Confident of striking a modern, forward-looking free trade agreement: British PM Rishi Sunak on trade ties with India

The Hindu  

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on September 6 said there was “still some way to go” for a free trade pact with India to be finalised, but appeared confident that the final outcome will be a "forward-looking" and "modern" deal that would benefit both sides and facilitate shared ambition of doubling trade by 2030. In an exclusive interview to PTI, …

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