In India-U.K. trade deal, focus on what is acceptable to both countries: Piyush Goyal

Talking about the proposed trade deal with Canada, the Commerce Minister said that with Canada, India is looking at an early harvest agreement, which is called an early progress trade agreement

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has said that in the talks for the proposed free trade agreement between India and the U.K., the focus is on what is acceptable to both countries and not allow sensitive issues to scuttle the discussions.

He also said that student visas are never part of a free trade agreement (FTA).

Also Read | More student visas for India not part of the trade deal, U.K. Trade Secretary says

India has recently concluded the sixth round of talks with the U.K. and the next round will be held soon.

Negotiations with the U.K. started on January 13 last year with an aim to boost bilateral trade and investments. The bilateral trade between the two countries increased to $17.5 billion in 2021-22 compared to $13.2 billion in 2020-21. India's exports stood at $10.5 billion in 2021-22, while imports were &7 billion.

"With U.K., our approach is let's focus on what is acceptable to both the countries and let us not allow sensitive issues to scuttle our discussions," Mr. Goyal told reporters in Gandhinagar.

When asked about a statement of a U.K. official that granting more students visas for India is not part of this agreement, Mr. Goyal said: "Have you ever heard of student visas being part of FTA? How many students go there (UK) to study? It's never a part of an FTA”.