India-UK FTA negotiations progress with 71 separate sessions

By

Isabelle Crossley

Published
Jun 28, 2022

The Republic of India and the United Kingdom concluded the fourth round of talks for an India-UK Free Trade Agreement on June 24 after addressing 20 policy areas. 

“For this round of negotiations, detailed draft treaty text was advanced across the majority of chapters,” the UK Government announced in a news bulletin on its official website on June 27. “Technical experts from both sides came together for discussions in 71 separate sessions covering 20 policy areas.”

The talks were carried out in a hybrid fashion and some of the participating teams met in person in London while the majority of officials joined the technical talks virtually. The next round of negotiations, which will be the fifth round to date, are scheduled to take place in New Delhi next month, according to the UK Government. 

Union Minister Piyush Goyal had stated while the fourth round of talks were still ongoing that he is confident that the India-UK FTA will be completed before the festive season of Diwali. Goyal also said that two of the three main areas that Indian industry needs to focus on to boost trade are garments and fashion jewellery, along with meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions, which he is confident the FTA will aid.