India-U.K. trade pact talks moving in right direction: Commerce Secretary
The Hindu
‘Negotiations are on. We are on track,’ says Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal.
Negotiations for the proposed trade pact between India and the United Kingdom are moving in the right direction, and both sides are expected to reach an agreement soon, a top government official said on Thursday, October 20, 2022.
Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal said negotiators have finalised many things and many aspects are yet to be finalised.
"So, we are moving in the right direction...Negotiations are on. We are on track," he told reporters at the sidelines of the CII National Exports Summit.
India and the U.K. are negotiating the pact to boost trade and investments between the countries. Both had aimed at concluding the talks by Diwali (October 24), but the negotiators are missing the deadline.
When asked about the fresh target, Mr. Barthwal said that it depends upon the movement of negotiation.
"So, we are moving forward very well and we expect that soon we will be able to reach an agreement," he added.
In January, both countries formally launched talks for a free trade agreement to boost bilateral trade and investments.