Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, in London, discusses adding ‘further momentum’ to India-U.K. trade talks

The eleventh round of trade negotiations between India and the U.K kicked off in London this week with Union Minister Piyush Goyal holding talks with his U.K. counterpart, Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch

The eleventh round of trade negotiations between India and the U.K. kicked off in London, with Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal in the city for meetings with his U.K. counterpart, Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch, and representatives of British industry on July 10 and 11. The visit is being seen by some in the U.K. government as a sign of political determination to work out a deal.

“Discussed how both sides can add further momentum to the India-UK Free Trade Agreement negotiations for a mutually beneficial deal,” Mr Goyal said on Twitter. The current round of talks between the two sides is set to conclude on July 14th.

Also read | India-U.K. FTA: Half the chapters in pact agreed on; working to complete deal early, says U.K. International Trade Minister

Ms Badenoch, on Wednesday, described the potential agreement as “a deal to benefit businesses across both nations and strengthen our deep and historic ties.”

Both sides had come to the table with “an ambitious set of asks”, a spokesperson in Ms Badenoch’s department said to The Hindu.

“We are continuing to negotiate but we are clear that we will only sign when we have a deal that is fair, balanced, and ultimately in the best interests of the British people and the economy,” they said.

U.K. trade minister Nigel Huddleston had told the Press Trust of India last week that half the chapters under discussion had been concluded.