In First Call, PM Modi, Rishi Sunak Discuss India-UK Trade Deal

New Delhi: 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Britain’s new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak today. PM Modi and his British counterpart discussed the need to close a balanced free-trade deal between India and the UK soon.

“Glad to speak to Rishi Sunak today. Congratulated him on assuming charge as UK PM. We will work together to further strengthen our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. We also agreed on the importance of early conclusion of a comprehensive and balanced FTA,” PM Modi tweeted this evening, referring to the talks for a free-trade agreement, or FTA.

Mr Sunak tweeted a “thank you” and tagged PM Modi.

“Thank you Prime Minister Narendra Modi for your kind words as I get started in my new role. The UK and India share so much. I’m excited about what our two great democracies can achieve as we deepen our security, defence and economic partnership in the months and years ahead,” tweeted the first Indian-origin Prime Minister of Britain and the youngest leader to hold the top post in the UK in over 200 years.

Britain’s Foreign Secretary James Cleverly is also coming to India on Friday to hold talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. The two will discuss strengthening diplomatic ties, Britain’s Foreign Office said today.

Britain has completed the majority of sections of the free-trade agreement with India but will only sign off on the deal once happy that it is fair and reciprocal, Trade Department Minister Greg Hands said yesterday.

“We have already closed the majority of chapters and look forward to the next round of talks shortly,” Mr Hands told parliament. The government had previously said it wanted to complete the deal by Diwali, a deadline which passed earlier this week.

The UK’s controversial Home Secretary Suella Braverman, an Indian-origin leader and hardline Brexiteer who had opposed a more generous visa policy for immigrants, has come out in support of the India-Britain FTA in what is being seen as an attempt to defuse tensions over her policy stance.