India trade deal to create 6,500 jobs, says Boris
BORIS Johnson says relations with India will reach “new highs” thanks to a £1billion trade partnership.
The Prime Minister and Indian counterpart Narendra Modi will hold a virtual summit today to agree stronger cooperation that will pave the way for a freetrade agreement.
Mr Johnson had to abandon plans for face-to-face talks after India was hit with a coronavirus surge and has sent an emergency support package to help the nation.
He said: “Like every aspect of the UK-India relationship, the economic links between our countries make our people stronger and safer.
“Each and every one of the more than 6,500 jobs we have announced today will help families and communities build back from coronavirus and boost the British and Indian economies.
“In the decade ahead, with the help of a new partnership signed today and a comprehensive free trade agreement, we will double the value of our trading partnership with India.”
The PM and Mr Modi will agree an enhanced trade partnership that will make it easier to export food and medical devices among other goods and services.
It also commits both sides to cutting red tape and costs as talks are held on securing a free trade agreement.
That will aim to remove 150 per cent tariffs on whisky and up to 125 per cent on cars.
Trade between the UK and India is worth around £23billion a year and the new partnership sets a target to double the value by 2030.
More than £533million of new Indian investment into the UK has been secured, creating health and technology jobs.
British businesses have secured new export deals with India worth more than £446million, including a surgical robotic system which is being rolled out to hospitals.