Differences persist as India and UK continue deliberations on Free Trade Agreement

As of now, there is no official confirmation from either the Indian government or the UK regarding when or if a formal agreement will be reached. The UK Department for Trade, in a statement to CNBC-TV18, emphasized their commitment to an ambitious trade deal but stressed that any agreement must be fair, balanced, and in the best interest of the British economy.

Notably, the UK government has refrained from making comments on live negotiations or speculating about potential visits by high-ranking officials. It's worth mentioning that no official announcement has been made regarding a visit by the UK Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, at this point.

The trade office overseeing the negotiations has indicated that the talks have entered their most complex phase, addressing aspects related to goods, services, and investments. Historically, the most challenging aspects of trade negotiations tend to surface towards the conclusion of talks, and these discussions are proving no different.

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While both sides express a desire to expedite the process, uncertainty surrounds the timeline for concluding the India-UK FTA. The negotiations are poised at a critical juncture, with experts and stakeholders closely monitoring the developments, hoping for a resolution in the near future. However, the lack of clarity regarding the timeline leaves many questions unanswered, and the prospect of a formal announcement hangs in the balance.

In the coming weeks, the international business community and stakeholders from both nations will continue to watch closely, eager for any signs of progress in these crucial trade negotiations.

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