Free trade agreement between India and Britain (symbolic picture)
London: The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and Britain is likely to be postponed after the sudden announcement of general elections in the country by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on July 4. The results of the Lok Sabha elections in India will be announced on June 4, exactly a month before the general elections in Britain. However, political analysts and strategic experts have expressed confidence that whatever the result, there will be no significant change in bilateral relations. But the FTA agreement, which was expected to be done in the government of the ‘Conservative Party’ led by Sunak, is now likely to be postponed due to the announcement of the general elections.
Talks started in January 2022
Talks on FTA between India and Britain started in January 2022 and its aim is to increase bilateral trade. Currently, there is a trade of about 38.1 billion pounds between the two countries in a year. In most of the pre-election surveys, the opposition party ‘Labour Party’ is seen ahead. Although the ‘Labour Party’ has also expressed its commitment to finalize this agreement, but nothing can be said about its time frame.
‘There should be continuity in relations with India’
Rahul Roy Chowdhury, Senior Fellow for South and Central Asian Defence, Strategy and Diplomacy at London-based think tank International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), said, “Rishi Sunak surprised everyone by announcing elections on July 4. Due to this, the possibility of the Conservative government finalising the much-awaited FTA with India is over.” Dr C Bajpai, Senior Research Fellow, South Asia, Asia-Pacific Programme at British think tank Chatham House, said, “Whatever be the result of elections in Britain, there should be continuity in its relations with India.” (Language)
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