FTA with UK on track, says Indian trade minister

Noting that the free trade agreements with the UK are well on track, Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said India will wait for the change in leadership before formulating a strategy vis a vis the UK.

"We will have to wait and see whether they have a quick change of leadership. Let's see who comes into the government and what their views are. It's only after that we'll be able to formulate a strategy vis a vis the UK," said Minister Goyal on the free trade deal with the UK after UK Prime Minister Liz Truss resigned.

Goyal on the sidelines of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) National Exports Summit said, "Politicians and businesses across the board in the UK recognised that it is very important for them also to do an FTA with India...But I would believe that our FTAs with the UK, Canada, EU, one or two more we may launch soon, all that is well on track."

"Going forward, this will require mutual implementation of these understandings," department spokesperson Arindam Bagchi had said. He said negotiations were continuing and both sides are keen to reach some kind of FTA that helps both countries.

"There are ongoing negotiations on FTA. There is interest on both sides to see if we can work towards a deal beneficial to both countries at an early date. Best when such matters are left between the trade ministers of both countries," he said on UK Trade Secretary's remarks on the FTA.

(ANI)