In Modi-johnson meet, UK and India vow ‘quantum leap’
India and the UK on Tuesday launched an Enhanced Trade Partnership that envisages facilitating market access in specific sectors, and unveiled plans to finalise an interim trade deal by mid-2022 as a precursor to a free trade agreement.
At a virtual summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his UK counterpart Boris Johnson, the two sides also set a target for doubling bilateral trade by 2030 and adopted the Roadmap 2030 to elevate ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership over the next decade.
The Enhanced Trade Partnership will see Britain open up its fisheries sector to more Indian players, facilitate more opportunities for nurses, recognise Indian seafarers’ certificates and enter into a joint dialogue on a social security agreement.
In return, India lifted restrictions to enable British fruit producers to export their produce to the country and improved access for medical devices through the acceptance of the
NEW DELHI:
“UK Certificates of Free Sale”.
“Had a productive Virtual Summit with my friend UK PM Boris Johnson. We adopted an ambitious Roadmap 2030 for elevating India-uk ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” PM Modi tweeted.
These actions are likely to generate some 25,000 new jobs in India, Sandeep Chakravorty, joint secretary (Europe West) in the external affairs ministry, said. The roadmap lists activities and initiatives to be pursued in five key areas – trade and economy, defence and security, climate action, health and people-to-people contacts – over the next decade.
Ahead of the summit, Johnson announced a trade and investment package with India worth £1 billion.