NEW DELHI: PM Narendra Modi and his UK counterpart Keir Starmer agreed to resume negotiations on the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) at an early date in what was their first bilateral meeting since Starmer assumed office earlier this year. In the meeting, which took place on the margins of the G20 summit in Rio De Janeiro, Modi also stressed the need for bringing to justice economic offenders who have taken shelter in the UK. According to an Indian readout, the leaders expressed confidence in the ability of the negotiating teams to address the remaining issues to "mutual satisfaction, leading to a balanced, mutually beneficial and forward-looking FTA".
According to a UK press release, Starmer announced "relaunch" of the trade talks in the new year. "A new trade deal with India will support jobs and prosperity in the UK - and represent a step forward in our mission to deliver growth and opportunity across our country," said Starmer. The UK said in its statement that it is committed to negotiating a trade deal with India and will seek a new strategic partnership, including a trade agreement, as well as deepening co-operation in areas like security, education, technology and climate change.
Starmer was later quoted as saying by the British media though that while a deal would unlock economic growth, it could not come at the expense of higher migration and that the UK's position on migration had not changed. "Clearly, government's position on reducing net migration comes firs.
