New Chapter in India-UK Free Trade Agreement

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy's upcoming visit to India aims to reinitiate discussions on the India-UK Free Trade Agreement under the new Labour government. Initial talks began in January 2022 but were stalled due to elections. Both sides seek clarity on the approach and aim for positive outcomes.

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy is scheduled to visit India on Tuesday, marking the first high-profile trip under the new Labour government. The visit aims to re-ignite the India-UK Free Trade Agreement talks, originally launched in January 2022 under the Conservative government.

Negotiations, geared towards boosting the £38.1 billion annual bilateral trade, had stalled after the fourteenth round due to elections in both nations. A New Delhi source revealed that India seeks clarity on whether negotiations will resume from the previous stopping point or start anew.

High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami clarified that visas are not India's primary concern in the FTA, focusing instead on enhancing goods and services trade. Lammy's visit will likely set the tone for realizing Labour's strategic partnership goals with India.

(With inputs from agencies.)