UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper to visit India soon; FTA among key agenda items: MEA
New Delhi, June 2
UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper is set to visit India soon, with discussions expected to focus on the proposed Free Trade Agreement, trade and investment, as well as security and defence cooperation, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Tuesday.
Details of the visit are still awaited.
Speaking at the weekly media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "On the visit of the Foreign Secretary of the UK, we will keep you informed of the schedule. Our relationship with the United Kingdom involves a large gamut of issues, including economic, security, and defence cooperation. When the Foreign Secretary is here, we will discuss all these issues, including the Free Trade Agreement and how we can scale up our trade and investment ties. The Trade Secretary is also currently in India, and the Ministry of Commerce will likely provide a readout of those meetings."
Meanwhile, UK Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle is in New Delhi to advance the next phase of the £48 billion (approximately USD 64.7 billion) trade relationship between the two countries.
According to a statement issued by the UK Government, Kyle is scheduled to meet Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal to further strengthen bilateral trade ties. The two leaders are expected to discuss steps to bring the bilateral Free Trade Agreement into force at the earliest.
The UK Government said efforts to advance the agreement come at a time of heightened global trade uncertainty. It noted that ongoing geopolitical tensions and disruptions to major trade routes have increased the importance of strengthening economic partnerships.
Once implemented, the FTA is expected to eliminate tariffs on 99 per cent of UK exports to India and reduce tariffs on 90 per cent of Indian exports to the UK, making trade between the two countries cheaper, faster and easier.
During his visit, Kyle will also meet Indian and British industry leaders to help businesses prepare for the implementation of the agreement.
— ANI
Reader Comments
As someone who follows UK-India relations, this visit is long overdue. The FTA could unlock massive potential, but both sides need to compromise on issues like data security and visa mobility. India's stance on skilled worker visas will be crucial.
I hope this time the talks don't drag on endlessly like before. India needs to leverage its growing market to get better terms. Also, why is the UK always sending officials but not finalizing anything? Let's see actual results, not just photo ops. 😐
FTA with India is a no-brainer for both economies. Post-Brexit UK needs new trade partners, and India's growing middle class is a huge opportunity. But I hope protectionist voices in India don't derail the deal like in the past.
Interesting timing with global trade uncertainty. India should use this to demand better access for our services sector—IT, education, healthcare. Also, the UK needs to ease visa rules for Indian professionals. Let's see if they walk the talk. 🧐
Am I the only one skeptical? Every few months there's a visit, but the FTA remains elusive. The UK has its own domestic pressures, and India's regulatory hurdles are real. Hope both sides show genuine political will this time. Actions speak louder than press releases.
N We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.