Page 6 - India-uk

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 ..

India-UK trade deal signals that globalisation momentum remains strong

This agreement clearly reflects the importance of political momentum and compromise

India opens central govt procurement to UK firms under new trade pact

After the UAE, India has opened its central government procurement for British companies under the free trade agreement (FTA) announced on Tuesday, an official said on Wednesday. The official said British firms would be allowed to participate in the procurement of goods and services of the non-sensitive central-level entities only. However, access to state and local government-level entities will be excluded. "Eligible UK suppliers would be allowed to bid for domestic tenders as deemed Class II local suppliers only," the official said, adding carve out is also provided for 'Make in India' policy as well as medium and small enterprises. Earlier, India opened the government procurement segment in the comprehensive trade pact with the UAE. Under that pact, UAE firms are allowed to participate in procurement tenders worth over Rs 200 crore. In 2020, the government modified public procurement norms to give maximum preference to companies whose goods and services have 50 per cent or mor

Scotch whiskey to get cheaper in India as import duty slashed under UK FTA

India-UK trade pact to halve Scotch whisky import duty to 75 per cent initially, then 40 per cent over 10 years; move expected to cut prices, boost exports, FDI, and premium brand access

No duty cuts by India on diamond, smartphones, fibres in UK trade pact

India seals FTA with UK but keeps duty shield on EVs, smartphones, diamonds, and other key goods to protect domestic industry and manufacturing base

India, UK seal free trade deal; PM Modi calls it 'historic milestone'

Duplication of social security contributions to be nixed too

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,

India-UK pacts will deepen comprehensive strategic ties, says PM Modi

". These landmark agreements will further deepen our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and catalyse trade, investment, growth..." PM Modi said

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'

Union Minister Piyush Goyal meets Indian representatives in London

On April 28, Piyush Goyal met with the UK's Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Jonathan Reynolds, to advance negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two nations

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

'Eagerness' on both sides to conclude India-UK FTA: FM Sitharaman

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday wrapped up the 13th Ministerial India-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue (EFD) with her British counterpart, Chancellor Rachel Reeves, on a note of positivity and eagerness to conclude the bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations soon. The annual dialogue, held at the London Stock Exchange, covered a broad range of issues which the UK Treasury said resulted in a GBP 400 million of trade and investment boost involving Indian firms such as Paytm and Mphasis unveiling investment plans for the UK market. A resulting joint statement from the EFD sets out plans to generate growth, improve bilateral financial services ties and deepen policy cooperation on the UK Industrial Strategy, tax, sustainable finance and illicit finance. Areas for collaboration on defence were also identified, with the finalisation of the India-UK Defence Industrial Roadmap set to strengthen ties between industrial sectors and integrate supply chains. I valu

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

Sitharaman to visit London from Apr 8-10; FTA talks may figure in meetings

Issues pertaining to the proposed free trade agreement (FTA) and bilateral investment treaty between India and the UK are expected to figure during the three-day visit of Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to London from April 8-10, official sources said. The minister would be attending a host of meetings, including India-United Kingdom Economic and Financial Dialogue, in London. Sitharaman is likely to hold a bilateral meeting with UK's Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves and other British ministers. "Issues pertaining to the trade agreement and bilateral investment treaty (BIT) may also come up for discussions between the two," the official said. On February 24, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds announced resumption of negotiations for the proposed FTA between the two countries. The India-UK negotiations are resuming after a gap of over eight months. The talks were launched on January 13, 2022. S

UK secures 17 new export, investment deals during trade secy's India visit

The UK on Wednesday said its Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds and Investment Minister Poppy Gustafsson announced 17 new export and investment deals during their visits to India this week. It also said that New Delhi's recent Union budget drives more opportunity for British insurance companies to expand their presence in India. British insurance companies in particular have gained more potential to expand in India following the recent Indian budget, which increased the amount of foreign direct investment (FDI) permitted in the insurance sector from 74 per cent to 100 per cent, a readout by the UK said. The UK has the third largest technology economy in the world, and a number of UK technology companies have also announced expansion into India, accelerating their growth journey, it noted. "The UK's Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds and Investment Minister Poppy Gustafsson have announced 17 new export and investment deals during visits to India this week," it said. However, details

Alcohol body seeks import duty cut in phased manner under India-UK FTA

Alcoholic beverage industry body CIABC on Tuesday urged the government to consider reducing the import duty in a phased manner under the proposed free trade agreement between India and the UK. The Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies (CIABC) said that the government should ensure better market access for Indian products in the UK. On February 24, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds announced resumption of negotiations for the proposed agreement. "The government needs to safeguard the interests of Indian liquor manufacturers while deciding on issues related to customs duty cuts and other concessions under FTAs. "Though we have already recommended to the government to cut cuts basic customs duty on spirits over a period of 10 years, we also want the government to ensure better international market access and safeguard interests of Indian companies against any dumping of products through transfe

India-UK trade talks begin: FTA, BIT, social-security pact on the table

India had requested the UK to consider a social-security agreement two years ago, but talks were launched only on Monday

India, UK resume negotiations for FTA, aims to triple trade in 10 years

India and the UK on Monday discussed to advance the India-UK free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations while ensuring that the pact is balanced, ambitious and mutually beneficial. In a post on X, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said both countries reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening trade and investment ties. He held a meeting with UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds here. "During the meeting, our discussions focused on advancing the India-UK Free Trade Agreement negotiations and ensuring that the agreement is balanced, ambitious and mutually beneficial," Goyal said. The India-UK FTA negotiations were launched on January 13, 2022. The agreement is aimed at boosting bilateral trade and investments. In such pacts, two countries either eliminate or significantly reduce customs duties on maximum goods traded between them. They also ease norms for promoting trade in services and bilateral investments. The bilateral trade between India and

India, UK to resume negotiations on proposed trade agreement from Feb 24

After a gap of over eight months, India and the UK will resume negotiations for a proposed free trade agreement (FTA) here from February 24, an official said. UK's Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds will be here for resumption of the talks. He will hold a bilateral meeting with Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, the official said. The India-UK FTA negotiations were launched on January 13, 2022. Total 13 rounds of negotiations have been held till December 2023. The 14th round, which began on January 10, 2024, was underway when negotiations were paused by the UK side in May 2024 due to elections in that country. The talks would resume the discussions from the progress achieved previously and seek to bridge the gaps for expeditiously closing the trade deal, the official added. The agreement is aimed at boosting bilateral trade and investments. In such pacts, two countries either eliminate or significantly reduce customs duties on maximum goods trad

India-UK FTA is the floor of relationship, not ceiling: UK trade envoy

The Free Trade Agreement between India and the United Kingdom is the floor of the relationship between the two countries and it's not the ceiling of their ambitions, Harjinder Kang, UK's Trade Commissioner for South Asia said. Kang, the British Deputy High Commissioner for Western India, said several ministerial visits are lined up in February. The proposed visits include Jonathan Reynolds, the Secretary of State for Business & Trade; Poppy Gustafsson, UK Investment Minister Secretary of State at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero; Vernon Coaker, Minister of State for Defence of the United Kingdom and Alastair King, the Lord Mayor of the City of London. He said not a single day goes by without an FTA-related conversation. "It's a conversation that we have regularly. Some of you know that I was the UK's chief negotiator before I came here to do this role and it's an amazing experience about the two industries, sectors, two economies, the two governments and how they ...