UK foreign secretary Lammy may arrive next week to resume FTA talks

Talks on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the United Kingdom are likely to resume next week as new British foreign secretary David Lammy is expected to visit New Delhi on or after 23 July, Mint reported.

The development follows the conversation between newly elected British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on 6 July. Starmer reportedly told Modi that he was ready to conclude an FTA that worked for both sides.

The Labour Party led by Starmer stormed to power in the general elections held in the UK on 4 July, unseating Rishi Sunak’s Conservatives. General elections in India and the UK were a reason to hold back the ongoing negotiation on FTA.

Citing sources familiar with the development, Mint reported that the dates for Lammy’s visit are yet to be finalized but shared that he would engage in dialogue with key leaders in India including commerce minister Piyush Goyal.

Some of the sticking points in India-UK FTA negotiations include a high import duty on scotch whisky, easing regulation that will aid the mobility of Indian professionals, and the UK demanding tax relief for its electric vehicles. The UK has also demanded a duty cut on lamb meat, chocolates, and confectionery.

The British High Commission did not respond to Press Insider’s email inquiring about Lammy’s proposed visit to India next week.