India and UK Foreign Office Consultation: The India and UK’s 16th Foreign Office Consultation (FOC) was mostly about working together on defense and negotiating a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) that would be good for both sides.
On May 17, 2024, in London, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, who was Indian Foreign Secretary, and Sir Philip Barton, who was Permanent Under-Secretary of the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO), met.
As stated in the official comments released by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs and the British High Commission in New Delhi, both countries reaffirmed their commitment to furthering bilateral collaboration across diverse sectors as they looked back on the progress made on the UK-India 2030 Roadmap.
As the talks for a free trade agreement (FTA) go well, both countries will be able to strengthen their strategic alliance in a number of areas. This will make their political and economic ties stronger.
According to the Financial Express, The two discussed how well the 2030 Roadmap has progressed since the previous assessment and highlighted important areas where India and the UK have collaborated to address some of the most pressing global issues. This included closely working on India’s successful G20 Presidency, developing the first malaria vaccine in history, and expanding possibilities for entrepreneurs and students through the Migration and Mobility Partnership.
An official statement from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs states that Kwatra met with the UK Home Office Permanent Secretary Matthew Rycroft, the Chief Trade Negotiator of the UK Crawford Falconer, the Senior Foreign Policy Advisor to the UK Prime Minister Professor John Bew, the MOS for Defence Procurement James Cartlidge, the NSA Sir Tim Barrow, and the MOS for Foreign Office Lord Tariq Ahmad.
Both sides expressed satisfaction with the good progress made in all areas, emphasized their desire to increase the bar, and decided to further develop their bilateral cooperation in a number of areas, including trade and economics, science and technology, energy and climate change, people-to-people relations and mobility, and health.
India and UK Foreign Office Consultation: Free Trade Agreement
The free trade agreement (FTA) under negotiation comprises 26 chapters, including sections on intellectual property rights, services, investments, and products, among other topics.
India is requesting more access for its talented workers from vital industries like IT and healthcare in the British market, in addition to market access for a number of items at zero customs charge.
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What does the UK want?
It is requesting a large reduction in import taxes on products like as electric cars, lamb meat, chocolates, and some candies, as well as scotch whiskey.
It is also examining other prospects for UK services in Indian markets, particularly in the areas of banking, insurance, and telecoms.
When is it anticipated that the India-FTA will be signed?
Sources claim that the two parties are in good talks and that an agreement will probably be signed later this year.
Frequent high-level political talks and bilateral institutional mechanism gatherings have strengthened the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the United Kingdom and India in all spheres.
The Foreign Office Consultations will reconvene in New Delhi the following year.
