Trend line on India-U.K. FTA very positive, says High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami
The Hindu
High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami expresses optimism for India-U.K. FTA, noting both sides keen to make necessary adjustments.
Ahead of the 12th round of the India-U.K. free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations starting in New Delhi on August 16, the Indian High Commissioner to the U.K. has expressed optimism that officials on both sides will be “able to get something working” and find a “right fit” towards a mutually beneficial pact.
High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami told PTI that he is positive as both countries seem keen to make necessary adjustments, recognising the complexities involved with the very different structures of the two similar-sized economies.
On the wider bilateral partnership, he expressed similar optimism around an “obvious synergy” across different sectors.
Also read: India-U.K. FTA: Half the chapters in pact agreed on; working to complete deal early, says U.K. International Trade Minister
“I’m positive about it [FTA]… My intention is that to the extent we can, we would like a mutually beneficial forward-looking FTA to be concluded,” said the High Commissioner.
“I believe both sides are keen on making the necessary adjustments. Even though we’re both similar-sized economies, we are dissimilar in the structures of our economies and the complexities of our economies. So, getting the right fit together is very important,” he said.
The senior diplomat closely involved with the FTA negotiations, which began in January last year, noted that it is important that the U.K. side recognises some of the complexities of the structure of the Indian economy.
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