Adversitement
UK Negotiators Pursue Trade Deal with India Amid Political Uncertainty
Published On : 2024-03-07T13:34:29+0530 [ IST ] |
Author : Mayur_Tembhare
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British negotiators have embarked on a crucial trip to India in a bid to secure a trade deal amidst growing uncertainty over the intentions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration. With concerns that India may be holding out for a Labour government, the UK is racing against time to finalize a free-trade agreement (FTA) seen as one of the major prizes of Brexit.
Led by a senior civil servant, the British delegation is focusing on resolving contentious issues related to goods and services, which have proven to be significant hurdles in the negotiations. Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Trade Secretary Liz Truss have also been actively involved in efforts to secure the multibillion-pound FTA with India, a country with a booming economy and a population of 1.4 billion people.
However, negotiations have been complicated by political considerations, particularly surrounding visas and social security. India is seeking increased visas for its workers and an agreement on social security payments, issues that have raised concerns within the Conservative Party, particularly regarding net migration into the UK.
Labour's recent engagement with Indian officials, including Shadow Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds's meeting with Trade Minister Piyush Goyal, has added to the complexity of the negotiations. Government figures fear that India may delay negotiations in anticipation of a Labour victory in the UK general election, with Labour projected to win a majority.
As the UK and India enter their 14th round of negotiations, time is running out before India's general election campaign begins in April or May. While Prime Minister Johnson had initially aimed to sign an agreement by Diwali in October 2022, the political landscape has since become more uncertain.
The Department of Business and Trade emphasized that any deal must be fair, balanced, and in the best interests of the British people and the economy. Meanwhile, Labour clarified that no negotiations had taken place between the party and the Indian government, placing the responsibility for any failure to deliver on the UK government's promises squarely on the government itself.
As the negotiations enter a critical phase, the UK faces a narrow window of opportunity to finalize a deal with India, with the outcome likely to have significant implications for both countries' economies and geopolitical relations.
Source : The Guardian
Tags : India , Narendra Modi , Visas , UK , trade deal , general election , negotiations , social security , Boris Johnson , Labour government , FTA ,
Summary : British negotiators have traveled to India in a final push to secure a trade deal amid concerns that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government may delay negotiations in anticipation of a Labour government. The UK aims to finalize a free-trade agreement (FTA) with India, but sensitive issues such as visas and social security remain contentious. Labour's recent interactions with Indian officials have raised concerns among government figures, who fear India may hold out for a better deal under a Labour administration. With India's general election looming, time is running out for a deal before the campaign begins.
Adversitement