India, UK review ties with focus on early conclusion of mutually beneficial free trade pact

04 Dec 2024 Evaluate

India and the UK have reviewed their ties with a focus on the early conclusion of a mutually beneficial free trade pact, boosting counter-terror cooperation and enhancing defence ties. Both nations aimed to identify new areas for collaboration, with discussions covering economic ties, technology, and security initiatives and fostering innovation in emerging technologies, clean energy, and cultural linkages.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said both sides discussed the entire gamut of strategic partnership and emphasised the importance of a sustained high-level engagement to advance the dynamic relations. It said ‘The delegations reviewed progress under the India-UK Roadmap 2030 and agreed on the need to revitalise the partnership by identifying new focus areas of collaboration and work towards a refreshed roadmap’. The two sides unveiled the 10-year roadmap in 2021 to expand ties in the key areas of trade and economy, defence and security, climate change and people-to-people connections among others.

The MEA said the discussions covered key priorities like strengthening economic and trade ties with a focus on the early conclusion of a mutually beneficial FTA and bolstering defence and security ties including in areas of cyber and counter-terrorism. At the 2+2 dialogue, the two sides also discussed ways to foster innovation in critical and emerging technologies, deepen cooperation in clean and green energy and technology, health and enhance cultural, educational and people-to-people linkages. The India-UK talks for the proposed FTA began in January 2022. The two sides have held 14 rounds of negotiations on it so far.