Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced the resumption of delayed discussions for a free trade deal with India, stating that Britain will seek a “new strategic partnership”.
“A new trade deal with India will support jobs and prosperity in the UK – and represent a step forward in our mission to deliver growth and opportunity across our country,” Mr. Starmer stated during his discussion with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday on the sidelines of the G20 summit.
“The UK will seek a new strategic partnership with India, including a trade agreement, as well as deepening cooperation in areas like security, education, technology, and climate change,” his office stated in a statement about their meeting.
PM Modi in a post on X said, “For India, the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with the UK is of immense priority”. “In the coming years, we are eager to work closely in areas such as technology, green energy, security, innovation, and technology. We also want to add strength to trade as well as cultural linkages”, he added.
He called his meeting with Mr Starmer “extremely productive”. This was his first meeting with Mr Starmer, who was elected in July defeating Labour Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
The two presidents expressed confidence that their negotiators would create a “balanced, mutually beneficial, and forward looking Free Trade Agreement,” according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). In order to better serve the Indian diaspora, it announced that India will be establishing two new consulate generals, or deputy high commissioners, in Belfast and Manchester.
The MEA added that PM Modi brought up the difficult subject of suspected Indian economic criminals residing in Britain who New Delhi wants repatriated. Vijay Mallaya, the former high-flying liquor and airline mogul who has eluded extradition for a number of years, is the most wanted person in India. Others include cricket administrator Lalit Modi and diamond dealer Nirav Modi.
Mr Starmer’s statement said, “The UK is committed to negotiating a trade deal with India – one of the fastest growing economies in the world”. About the British priorities in a trade agreement, Reynolds mentioned “lowering Indian tariffs to help British firms export to this dynamic market”. “Boosting investment which already supports over 600,000 jobs across both countries”, is another, he said.
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Source: NDTV
