2021: A year to strengthen Uk-india relationship
‘UK and India share a long and enduring friendship and as we take back control of our trade, we can champion our global free trade agenda together,’ said Ranil Jayawardena.
Folks in UK are awakening to the growing likelihood of a Uk-india trade agreement, with the friendly exchange in a telephone conversation between Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 27 November. The public relations around this telecon suggest that a trade partnership or FTA might be on the 2021 horizon.
It looks like the bonding priorities are climate change and renewable energy, and Covid-19 treatments and vaccines. Johnson welcomed the close collaboration between UK and India scientists. The PM’S press release confirmed ongoing interactions across bilateral trade, defence, security and a commitment to the Indopacific region.
This deepening of Ukindia trading relationship was emphasised on 24 July at the 14th Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO). The meeting between UK’S International
Trade Secretary Liz Truss, supported by UK’S International Trade Minister Ranil Jayawardena, with India’s Minister of Railways and Commerce & Industry, Piyush Goyal and Hardeep Singh Puri, India’s Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, has evidently progressed the removal of barriers for businesses across a range of sectors including food and drink, healthcare and life sciences, IT and data, chemicals and services. At that meeting, the UK and India agreed to work towards removing additional barriers, including the existing barrier on British exports of apples and pears to India and supporting Indian and British legal professionals looking to work in each other’s countries. The issued shows the depth and breadth of intent across sectors from supply chains to space.
Ranil Jayawardena, Minister for International Trade, told The Sunday Guardian exclusively: “The United Kingdom and India share a long and enduring friendship and, as we take back control of our trade, we can champion our global free trade agenda together and make it easier for businesses to trade overseas. Britain and India have agreed to pursue an Enhanced Trade Partnership, the first step on the road to deepen trade ties and the route to explore a potential Anglo-indian free trade agreement. We are ambitious for what it can achieve, and will continue to work hard to rip down trade barriers and investment blocks for British businesses, creating better jobs here at home.”