India-UK FTA: British delegation to arrive Monday for concluding round of talks

livemint.com:

NEW DELHI : A delegation from the United Kingdom will arrive in India on 22 January to discuss remaining aspects of the free-trade agreement negotiations between the two countries, said two people aware of the matter. The fourteenth and concluding round of negotiations for a free-trade agreement between India and the UK began on 10 January in New Delhi. A majority of the issues in the proposed FTA between India and the UK are either finalised or at an advanced stage of talks, said one of the two persons mentioned above.

Both of them declined to be identified. “Both sides are hoping to conclude the negotiations soon," this person said, adding that the negotiations with the UK were heading in the right direction. The UK’s delegation of about a dozen members includes high-ranking government officials to resolve some sticky issues in the final deliberations, this person added.

A commerce ministry spokesperson didn’t immediately respond to emailed queries. The two sides concluded the thirteenth round of FTA talks between 18 September and 15 December. The fourteenth round of negotiations, which began earlier this month, includes matters related to goods, services, and investment.

Some of the sticky issues have been discussions on business mobility, scotch whiskey, automobiles including electric vehicles, farm products, pharmaceuticals, rules of origin, and a separate agreement to enhance bilateral investments. However, the focus of the negotiators has been to resolve the remaining issues, said the second person mentioned above. With bilateral trade growing from $17.5 billion in FY2022 to $20.36 billion in FY2023, India and the UK are committed to developing a comprehensive and mutually beneficial trade relationship.