The thirteenth round of negotiations for the UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) concluded last week, with both sides expressing their commitment to achieving a comprehensive and ambitious trade pact. The next round of negotiations, the fourteenth, is scheduled to take place in January 2024.
Spanning a period from September 18 to December 15, 2023, the latest round of talks encompassed in-person sessions held in London and Delhi, as well as virtual discussions. The complex issues of goods, services, and investment were the primary focus of these negotiations, according to an official release from the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Initiated in 2022, the FTA between India and the UK has gained momentum with the recent visit of a high-level UK delegation to India. Detailed discussions at both higher and team levels have underscored the determination to resolve differences and advance the FTA.
During External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar’s visit to the UK in November, the India-UK FTA was extensively discussed during a meeting with UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Importantly, no specific deadline has been set for the FTA, emphasizing the commitment to secure a comprehensive and mutually beneficial trade deal.
