Page 2 - India-uk Ties

British Airways plans new India flights, eyes cargo opportunities from FTA

British Airways, which has been flying to India for more than 100 years, will look to further expand routes and frequency of flights as well as tap the cargo opportunities from the India-UK free trade agreement, the airline's Chairman and CEO, Sean Doyle has said. Currently, the airline operates 56 flights a week from five Indian cities, including three-weekly flights from Mumbai, double daily services from Delhi. It also has daily flight from Chennai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad. In an exclusive interview to PTI, Doyle said India is a "very, very important" market for British Airways and hopes to continue with expansion in the future in terms of both routes and flight frequencies. From October this year, the airline is set to re-introduce first class seats in one of the flights in the Mumbai-London Heathrow route, after a gap of nearly five years. "I think we want to be part of the growth of aviation in India. We have been part of it for 100 years... about 2,500 people work for Britis

Will support efforts to tackle terror threat: UK on India-Pakistan conflict

The UK stands ready to work with India and Pakistan to ensure a lasting ceasefire and will lean in to support efforts on both sides to deal with horrendous terrorism, Foreign Secretary David Lammy has told the British Parliament. During a debate on Kashmir in the House of Commons on Tuesday, Lammy said he remains in regular contact with his counterparts in New Delhi and Islamabad to encourage both nations to maintain their commitment to hard-won areas of diplomatic cooperation, such as the Indus Water Treaty. The UK welcomes the commitments made by India and Pakistan to pause any further military action. Given our strong and close relationships with both countries, the UK stands ready to work with both sides to make a lasting ceasefire a reality, Lammy told MPs. Let me be clear that the horrendous terrorism we saw 26 nationals stripped and shot was horrific, and we condemn it. We will continue to work with close partners to deal with this terrorist threat all of us have to lean in

India rejects UK's data exclusivity demand in FTA to shield generics

India has not accepted the demand of the UK for inclusion of a 'data exclusivity' provision in the free trade agreement, announced on May 6, in a bid to protect the interests of the domestic generic drugs industry, an official said. During the negotiations, the UK had asked to include this provision in the trade pact. "But India has not accepted that. There is no fear for the Indian generic industry from this agreement. In fact, it is our very important objective to see that the generic drug industry flourishes," the official said. The sector plays a key role in India's exports, which are also growing. Data exclusivity provides protection to the technical data generated by innovator companies to prove the usefulness of their products. In the pharmaceutical sector, drug companies generate data through expensive global clinical trials to prove the efficacy and safety of their new medicine. By gaining exclusive rights over this data, innovator companies can prevent their competitors

UK Parliament debates India-Pakistan conflict, appeals for de-escalation

The rising tensions between India and Pakistan in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack and Op Sindoor targeting terror camps in PoK was debated at length in the British Parliament, with members across parties appealing for UK efforts to aid de-escalation in the region. India launched Operation Sindoor early Wednesday, hitting nine terror targets in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Pakistan's Punjab province in retaliation for the April 22 terror attack that killed 26 people in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam. UK Foreign Office Minister Hamish Falconer opened the debate in the House of Commons on Wednesday with a statement reiterating Prime Minister Keir Starmer's earlier remarks over the importance of diplomacy and dialogue. He also expressed concerns related to the very personal aspect of the conflict for a large number of British Indians and British Pakistanis in the country. Our consistent message to both India and Pakistan has been to show restraint. They need to engage in ..

UK access to India's procurement may hurt MSMEs, Make in India, warns GTRI

Economic think tank GTRI on Wednesday said allowing UK firms to participate in India's central government procurement tenders could crowd out MSMEs, which rely heavily on protected access to such contracts. After the UAE, India has opened its central government procurement (GP) for British companies under the free trade agreement (FTA) announced on Tuesday, subject to certain conditions. British firms can now bid for tenders, and those with just 20 per cent UK content will be treated as Class 2 Local Suppliers under India's Make in India policy. This effectively extends preferential treatment designed for Indian firms to foreign suppliers. While UK companies gain broad access to India's procurement system, Indian firms remain largely excluded from the UK's closed and highly competitive GP market, the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) said. With little reciprocal benefit, this sets a dangerous precedent for future FTAs and weakens India's leverage to defend domestic interests,

Gateway to era of flourishing bilateral ties: Sunil Mittal on India-UK FTA

The India-UK Free Trade Agreement is not only a pivotal milestone in ties between the two nations but is also poised to be the gateway to an era of flourishing bilateral cooperation, shared innovation and enhanced people-to-people connect, Sunil Bharti Mittal said on Tuesday. The Bharti Enterprises founder and chairman also noted that India and the UK represent a burgeoning wealth of ideas, talents and resources. India and the UK on Tuesday sealed a landmark free trade agreement that will lower tariffs on 99 per cent of Indian exports and would make it easier for British firms to export whisky, cars and other products to India, besides boosting the overall trade basket. Along with the FTA -- the biggest the UK has done since leaving the European Union -- the two sides also sealed a double contribution convention. In a statement on the successful conclusion of the India-UK FTA negotiations, Mittal said, "This is not only a pivotal milestone in the history of the relations between ou

India-UK FTA is our most comprehensive trade deal, says Commerce secy

The free trade agreement (FTA) concluded between India and the UK is a "game changer" and is the most comprehensive trade deal ever entered into by India, Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal said on Tuesday. He said that the pact will set India further on the path of rapid economic growth and benefit the country's global integration. "This is the most comprehensive free trade deal ever entered into by India and will be the gold standard for our future engagements," he said. Barthwal told PTI that the agreement will have a positive impact on the country's manufacturing across labour and technology intensive sectors. "It opens up export opportunities for sectors such as textiles, marine products, leather, footwear, sports goods and toys, gems and jewellery," he said. Commenting on the pact, Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal said that this agreement sets a new benchmark for equitable and ambitious trade between two large economies. "It will benefit Indian farmers, fishermen, workers,

UK stands with India against terrorism, says British culture secy Nandy

Nandy, who was in India, said that UK's relationship with India is 'very long' and 'very deep'

Piyush Goyal meets UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy in London

Goyal also addressed a gathering, alongside UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds, and spoke about the bright future ahead for the India-UK partnership

Piyush Goyal highlights India-UK trade ties at London's Business Roundtable

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, who is in London on a two-day visit focused on bilateral trade and investment ties, addressed an India-UK Business Roundtable bringing together prominent business leaders and CEOs from both countries on Tuesday. The roundtable heard from the minister about the wide-ranging investment opportunities across sectors in India and the potential for innovation-led growth with greater two-way partnerships. Highlighted opportunities to strengthen economic ties, drive innovation-led growth, and expand investment avenues between India and the UK, Goyal said after the roundtable. It follows his interactions on Monday with a range of senior business leaders to explore the potential for greater collaborations with the UK. After a meeting with UK Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds to advance the ongoing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations, Goyal held talks with Revolut Chair Martin Gilbert with a fintech focus and De Beers Group CEO Al

India, UK discuss deeper military ties, advancing defence capability

According to the Ministry of Defence, the discussions focused on enhancing defence industry collaboration and boosting the Make in India initiative

UK court rejects India's appeal for extradition of Sanjay Bhandari

The High Court in London on Tuesday refused the government of India's application seeking permission to appeal in Britain's Supreme Court against the discharge of Sanjay Bhandari, the defence sector consultant wanted in Delhi to face charges of alleged tax evasion and money laundering. Lord Justice Timothy Holroyde handed down the judgment at a brief pronouncement hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice in response to the Indian government's application filed last month. It followed Holroyde and Justice Karen Steyn's February 28 High Court judgment granting the 62-year-old businessman's appeal against being extradited on human rights grounds. The court received an application from the government of India seeking certification of points of law of general importance and grant leave to appeal to the Supreme Court, said Justice Holroyde. Having considered the written submissions, the court is satisfied that no oral hearing is necessary, and no further submissions required. The two point

Govt seeks to appeal Sanjay Bhandari extradition discharge ruling

The Indian government as respondent in Sanjay Bhandari extradition case has sought permission from the London High Court to appeal against the discharge of the defence sector consultant wanted in Delhi to face charges of alleged tax evasion and money laundering. According to government officials familiar with the case, the first in a two-part process was initiated this week, which involves getting the high court's certification of points of law of general public importance. If this stage is successful, the appeal can proceed to the Supreme Court for argument. A UK court official confirmed the Indian government had applied to certify two points of law of general importance and grant leave to appeal to the Supreme Court. It follows Lord Justice Timothy Holroyde and Justice Karen Steyn's February 28 high court judgment granting the 62-year-old businessman's appeal on human rights grounds. The court had ordered his discharge from then UK home secretary Suella Braverman's extradition o

Sign of bigger things to come: Jaishankar on new consulate in Manchester

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday inaugurated a new Consulate General of India in Manchester, which he said was symbolic of the importance of the growing diaspora in the region and a sign of things to come, including an India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The external affairs minister (EAM) said it was apt that Vishakha Yaduvanshi takes over her role as India's newest Consul General on International Women's Day, reflective of the strides the government has made in putting women's issues at the centre of policy. He followed up the official opening of the consulate building in Stockport, Greater Manchester, with a celebratory diaspora reception at the Old Trafford stadium, where he interacted with members of the Lancashire Cricket Club's women's team members before they leave for Bengaluru for a pre-season tour next week. My first visit to Manchester here today, in a formal way, is an acknowledgement of how much this relationship has matured in the last four decades,

MEA issues demarche to UK charge d'affaires over Jaishankar security breach

India on Thursday served a demarche to the British charge d'affaires lodging a strong protest over a breach in security for External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in London as a pro-Khalistani protester attempted to break barricades and tried to stop his motorcade while some others were shouting anti-India slogans. In a firm reaction, New Delhi condemned the incident and said it expects the host government to fully live up to their diplomatic obligations in such case. It also deplored the "misuse of democratic freedoms" by the "small group of separatist" elements. People familiar with the matter said the charge d'affaires at the British High Commission was called to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and was served a demarche. The incident happened as Jaishankar was leaving the Chatham House after concluding an interactive session at the institute, home to Royal Institute of International Affairs, on Wednesday evening. The external affairs minister was in London as in the first

India, UK renew five-year partnership to strengthen health cooperation

The MoU focuses on joint efforts to address global health challenges, including antimicrobial resistance, non-communicable diseases, digital health innovations, and pharmaceutical advancements

Business activity between India, UK flourishes in 2024, shows HSBC data

Business activity between the UK and India has flourished in 2024 as the value of payments received by clients in Britain from India rose by 121 per cent, according to the latest data released by HSBC UK. The multinational bank, which highlighted the figures based on its two-way support for businesses within the India-UK corridor this week, said its data on payments and client referrals showed year-on-year growth. In the nine months to October 2024, the value of payments made by HSBC UK business clients to India reportedly rose by 32 per cent and the bank received 36 per cent more new business client referrals from HSBC India year-on-year. Our data shows that business between the UK and India is not only strong, it's getting even stronger, and the opportunities for expanding businesses in India are huge, said Cora McLaren, Head of International Subsidiary Banking at HSBC UK. India's population is not only a vast number of potential customers, within it there is a growing middle cla

Beyond the missed deadlines, India-UK FTA talks at a tricky turning point

India and the UK are set to relaunch free trade agreement talks next month under Keir Starmer's Labour Party, facing critical challenges including unresolved issues and shifting political priorities

Higher exports and migration marked post-Covid UK ties with India

India is among the largest sources of investments into UK

IGF to spotlight UK-India ties as bridge between polls in both countries

The annual India Global Forum (IGF) in London is set to spotlight UK-India strategic ties bridged between general elections in both countries next month, with a line up of senior ministers, entrepreneurs and analysts weighing up the future trajectory of bilateral ties under newly elected governments. IGF London, confirmed this week to be held between June 24 and 28, will cover the full spectrum of the partnership including the course of the free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations. The India-UK FTA talks began in January 2022 and are now stalled in the fourteenth round of talks as both countries stepped into their general election cycles this year. Regardless of which governments come to power, a series of opportunities, and certainly challenges, await them; that's why IGF London 2024 is set to be a crucial event in the diary, serving as a major economic and geopolitical stocktake, offering vital insights and informing the strategic direction for any new administration, said Manoj ...