Britain sees improved momentum in latest round of India trade talks

NEW DELHI: Talks between Britain and India on a free trade agreement (FTA) have gained momentumbutfurtherworkisneeded onservicesandtariffstosecureadeal, a British source close to the negotiationswasquotedbyReuters.

Britainbeganfreetradetalkswith IndiainJanuarylastyearasitlooksto establish its credentials as an independent trading nation after leaving the European Union and is seeking an Indo-Pacific tilt to its foreignpolicy.

Talks had seemed stuck earlier thisyear,withthetwosidesstruggling to make progress in a number of key areas amid concern there could be further political complications if talks drag on. Elections are expected in bothcountriesnextyear.

However, momentum has improved following the conclusion of the eleventh round of talks this week, the source said, allowing negotiators to turn to more commercially sensitive topics that are likely to be someofthemostdifficulttoresolve.

'Thetalkscertainlykickedupagear during the last round, and gained momentum,butthereisstillalongway to go, such as on services or tariffs for variousgoods,'thesourcesaid.

‘It's not about a race to the finish –it's about driving home an ambitious deal that will benefit us both in the yearsanddecadestocome.'

After the ambitious timelines of formerPrimeMinisterBorisJohnson slipped, current British leader Rishi Sunak has emphasised that his Government will take time to strike therightdeal.

In a sign of the political impetus in the talks, India's Trade Minister Piyush Goyal and Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal both visited Londonduringtheround.

The Indian Government has said the talks are at a critical stage, and that Ministerial engagement during the round had helped to overcome obstacles in talks. The next round is expectedtocommenceinAugust.

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