U.K. Trade Minister Emphasizes Caution in India FTA Negotiations

Despite the possibility of concluding a trade deal with India before the country’s general election, U.K. Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Kemi Badenoch, remains cautious about setting deadlines. The ongoing negotiations, now in their 14th round, have been complicated by India’s protectionist economic policies compared to the U.K.’s liberalized regime. Badenoch stressed the importance of ensuring a “commercially meaningful” agreement rather than rushing for a pre-election photo opportunity.

While acknowledging the potential for a pre-election signing, she remains resistant to setting strict deadlines, emphasizing the need for substantive outcomes over hasty resolutions. The negotiations aim to significantly enhance the bilateral trading partnership between the U.K. and India, with both sides hopeful for a successful conclusion despite contentious issues such as tariffs and worker transfer regulations. As both countries approach general elections, the urgency to finalize the agreement before the onset of campaign mode adds further significance to the ongoing negotiations.