Team Blitz India
NEW DELHI: Talks on the India-UK free trade agreement (FTA) have reached an “advanced stage” as negotiators of the two countries have narrowed differences on a host of issues, media reports said on October 13 quoting officials aware of the developments.
Among the issues on which the two sides have narrowed divergences are business mobility, Scotch whisky, and automobiles, increasing hopes for a breakthrough within the next two weeks, said these reports.
“It seems the UK has nearly agreed to grant access to Indian professionals for business-related visits on a reciprocal basis. Modalities are being discussed between the two sides,” an official was quoted as saying in these reports.
Replying to a question on the possibility of concluding the FTA by the end of this month, Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal said that talks are at an “advanced stage” and “negotiations are going on, so we should wait” till the talks are over.
Barthwal travelled to London last week to give a boost to the talks and his UK counterpart was in New Delhi this week for the same purpose.
It is expected that UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak may visit India from October 28 to endorse an agreement, if the negotiations are concluded, an official was quoted saying. A few unresolved issues require a political nod, he said.
