India-UK FTA talks likely to resume next month, Labour to revisit mobility
New Delhi: Talks on a free trade agreement (FTA) between the UK and India is expected to resume next month after a “comprehensive review" of progress so far by the two sides, two people aware of the matter said, with subjects like migration and mobility put under the scanner by the new Labour government led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer. "The fourteenth round of FTA negotiations, stalled due to the general elections in both countries, will kickstart again next month, now that elections are over and new governments have taken charge," said the first person mentioned above, speaking under anonymity. "Both sides are hoping for a quick completion of the FTA.
The UK parliament, currently on recess, is expected to resume soon. The FTA talks will gather pace once after the completion of the recess. However, the new UK government could also revisit the FTA discussions to revise agreed terms (terms agreed with the Rishi Sunak government)," the person added.
With most aspects of the India-UK FTA nearly resolved, only “a few minor adjustments" remain, and these are expected to be taken on by the Labour Party, this person said. These include major issues related to migration, mobility, and a liberalised visa regime for Indian workers, which remain the sticky issues between both sides. Migration, mobiliy and visas are political hot potatoes for any British government and any such international agreement will need to be ratified by the British parliament.
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