Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to travel to the United Kingdom later this month, in a visit that could see the formal signing of the much-anticipated India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), diplomatic sources have indicated.
Both sides are in the final stages of setting dates for the visit, likely to take place by the end of July or in early August.
The agreement, finalised in principle in May after three years of negotiations, is set to reduce tariffs and make it easier for British firms to export whisky, cars, and other products to India, while facilitating greater market access for Indian goods and services in the UK.
Prime Minister Modi has described the agreement as a “historic milestone” that will boost trade, investment, growth, and job creation in both economies while further deepening the India-UK comprehensive strategic partnership.
The visit will also explore ways to strengthen defence and security cooperation between the two countries, building upon the ambitions set out under the India-UK Roadmap 2030.
Interestingly, there had been indications that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was planning to formally sign the UK-India trade deal with Prime Minister Modi during a visit to India this summer. However, it is now understood that Prime Minister Starmer may travel to India later this year.
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