India, UK hope for mutually beneficial FTA, says MEA

NEW DELHI: India on Friday said it is carrying out talks with the UK for the early finalisation of a free trade agreement that is beneficial to both the sides. In April, the two sides had set a Diwali deadline for concluding the FTA but the deal is set to be pushed back to November in view of differences over certain issues.

"There are ongoing negotiations as we know on the FTA. There is interest on both sides to see if we can work towards a deal, an FTA, that is beneficial to both the countries at an early date," external affairs ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said."This is a trade negotiation...let this be dealt by trade negotiators," he said.

Meanwhile, external affairs minister S Jaishankar held a telephonic conversation with British foreign secretary James Cleverly.

"A good conversation with UK Foreign Secretary @JamesCleverly. Reviewed various aspects of our bilateral relationship and committed to taking forward Roadmap 2030 expeditiously. Look forward to an early in-person meeting," he tweeted.

Asked about the recent remarks by the UK home secretary Suella Braverman, expressing reservations over the proposed deal, Bagchi said he would not like to comment on it.