The British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, is reportedly determined to secure a free trade agreement (FTA) with India by the end of March 2024, according to a recent report from UK media. Negotiations for the India-UK FTA began in January last year, to significantly boost the £36 billion trading partnership between the two nations. While the thirteenth round of talks concluded on December 15, another round is slated to commence early next year and is anticipated to be the final round.
In an article published on Saturday, the Daily Express highlighted that both Prime Minister Sunak and India’s leader, Narendra Modi, are eager to finalize the deal by April. The report suggests that signing and sealing the agreement before India’s general elections on April 1 is the desired outcome. The Daily Express cited an anonymous UK source involved in the trade discussions, who indicated that although substantial progress has been made, certain challenging aspects still require attention. The source revealed that negotiators are diligently working through the details every week, keeping in line with the deadline imposed by India’s elections.
The completion of an India-UK FTA would create significant opportunities for both countries, fostering strengthened economic ties and paving the way for increased bilateral trade in various sectors. With the clock ticking, all eyes are now on the impending round of negotiations, eagerly awaiting the outcome and a potential agreement that could fuel future economic growth for India and the UK.
