Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to the United Kingdom will prioritise trade, investment, and the advancement of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, said on Tuesday.
Speaking to IANS, Doraiswami underlined that preparations are in full swing to reinforce the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two nations. “Our entire team is working in London to prepare for the visit,” he said.
“We will be discussing a lot on trade and investment, especially how to implement the trade agreement once it is signed, and how both countries can further strengthen their economic relationship,” Doraiswami said. He added that Indian companies operating in the UK have been “largely satisfied” with market access.
Doraiswami noted that while the core negotiations on the FTA were concluded in May, certain formalities remain. “The main negotiations have concluded, but some paperwork is still pending,” he said, adding that the process, known as ‘legal scrubbing,’ ensures the agreement is legally sound and all documents are in order.
PM Modi is set to visit the UK from July 23–24 at the invitation of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. It will be his fourth visit to the country.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the visit will include a review of progress under the bilateral strategic partnership. Discussions will cover trade, technology, defence, climate, health, education, and people-to-people ties.
IANS