As the 2024 general elections approach, India is looking to finalise free trade agreements (FTAs), which are under negotiation. A delegation headed by Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal is currently in London with the aim of finalising the FTA talks soon. The timing of the visit gains significance in view of the short duration left before the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) comes into force.
For the previous general elections in 2019, the MCC had come into force in the first half of March, and its presence may impede the Central Government's ability to provide commitments in any FTAs till a new regime is sworn in post-elections.
A few days ago, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) reviewed the progress of the India-UK FTA talks, which began on January 13, 2022 and kept on getting delayed due to repeated changes in the UK's leadership. By the end of 2023, 13 rounds of discussion were concluded, and 21 out of 26 policy areas were finalised.
A delegation from the UK also visited India in January 2024. Even as negotiators from both sides are engaged in rigorous talks on multiple fronts, several contentious issues are keeping the negotiations from getting concluded.
Amidst the recession and opposition to immigration and outsourcing in the UK, India has sought increased access for its IT or Information Technology Enabled Services (ITeS) professionals under the FTA. Meanwhile, the UK is seeking duty concessions on imported cars and Scotch whisky, which the Indian alcohol industry is opposing.
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