Sunak, Modi Agree to Expedite India-UK Trade Deal; Resolve ‘Outstanding Issues’: Downing Street

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak spoke to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday and agreed to accelerate progress to resolve “outstanding issues” in the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) talks.

The phone call came in the backdrop of a media report earlier this week which claimed that India had put FTA talks with the UK on hold until they were held at the Indian High Commission in London last month. Does not see strong action against pro-Khalistan groups behind the attack.

The reports were swiftly denied by both sides.

In details of the conversation between the two leaders, Downing Street said Sunak condemned the “unacceptable” violence outside the Indian High Commission in London last month and Modi about steps being taken to ensure the safety of Indian diplomatic staff. Gave information to ,

Last month, the Indian flag at the High Commission in London was brought down during a protest by pro-Khalistan elements.

Prime Minister Modi raised the issue of security of Indian diplomatic establishments in the UK during a telephonic conversation with his British counterpart Sunak and called for tough action against anti-India elements, a statement in New Delhi said.

Accordingly, Modi also sought progress on the return of economic offenders wanted in India.

India is seeking the extradition of troubled businessman Vijay Mallya and fugitive diamond merchant Nirav Modi from the UK.

Mallya, who fled to the UK in 2016, is wanted in India in connection with a default of Rs 9,000 crore loaned to Kingfisher Airlines by several banks. Nirav Modi is facing charges in the estimated USD 2 billion Punjab National Bank loan scam case.

According to a Downing Street spokesperson, the two leaders agreed to continue their discussions at the G7 meeting in Japan next month and the G20 summit hosted by India later in the year.

A Downing Street spokesperson said, “The leaders reflected on the close friendship between the two countries and agreed that great progress is being made on the 2030 UK-India Roadmap.”

“Discussing the ongoing negotiations on the UK-India Free Trade Agreement, the leaders offered huge opportunities for Indian and British businesses and consumers. Both agreed to direct their teams to accelerate progress on resolving outstanding issues and ensure a world-leading deal that will see both economies flourish,” the spokesperson said.

In New Delhi, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said on Thursday that the next round of talks between India and Britain on the proposed free trade agreement would be held later this month.

Bagchi said the talks would take place between April 24 and 28.

In reference to the attack by pro-Khalistan separatists on the Indian High Commission in London on 19 March, a Downing Street spokesman said that the British Prime Minister “reiterated his condemnation of the unacceptable violence outside the Indian High Commission in London”.

“He stressed that extremism has no place in the UK and updated on the steps being taken to ensure the safety of Indian High Commission staff,” a Downing Street spokesperson said.

“Leaders extended their best wishes to those celebrating Vaisakhi in the UK and India yesterday. The two look forward to seeing each other at the G7 in Japan next month and the G20 in India later this year.

“Both the UK and India are determined to deliver an ambitious and mutually beneficial FTA and the latest round of trade talks concluded last month,” a UK department statement said. Business and business spokesperson.

According to official UK government data, the India-UK bilateral trade relationship was set to be worth GBP 34 billion in 2022 – rising to GBP 10 billion a year. These figures are expected to increase dramatically with a successful

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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)