FTA an ongoing process, UK govt ready to restart negotiations: Indian envoy

Indian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Vikram Doraiswami, on Tuesday said that the Keir Starmer-led government is prepared to resume Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations with India, following the completion of the UK’s internal review in July.

Speaking to ANI, Doraiswami said, “The FTA is an ongoing process. The government that came to power here in the UK in July completed their internal review and is now ready to restart negotiations. We welcome that. Let’s not prejudge what happens in the negotiations because they need to restart. Let’s see what happens beyond that.”

He highlighted the growing bilateral trade between the two nations and expressed optimism about the negotiations. “The movement of goods and services between us continues to grow, and our investments remain significant in each other’s economies,” he added.

Earlier, on November 22, Richard Heald, Chair of the UK-India Business Council (UKIBC), emphasized the transformative potential of the FTA for businesses and bilateral trade. He said that the agreement would simplify business operations and enhance economic ties.

“If you look at those companies that are not here [in India], the FTA will make a difference. It will make it easier and more reassuring to enter India and integrate into the economy, whether through joint ventures or direct investment,” Heald said.

Commenting on Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav’s visit to the UK to attract investments, Doraiswami expressed his satisfaction and underscored the special relationship between the two nations.

“We’re very glad that the chief minister chose the UK for his first visit outside the state in his current capacity. The India-UK relationship is a special one, with a long history and significant contributions to both nations’ development. The role of people of Indian origin has been a key binding factor between the two economies,” he said.

Doraiswami added that the chief minister focused on aligning the UK’s strengths with the opportunities emerging in Madhya Pradesh. “His focus has been on exploring ways to dovetail the UK’s strengths with Madhya Pradesh’s opportunities, particularly in education, technology, and the IT sector,” he noted.

CM Mohan Yadav is on a six-day visit to the United Kingdom and Germany, engaging with industrialists, business leaders, and government representatives to attract investments for the state.