UK Trade Minister: FTA with India Possible Before Elections

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Kemi Badenoch, the UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade, has expressed that finalizing a trade deal with India before the country’s general elections is “possible” but stressed that Britain doesn’t want to impose a deadline. Badenoch, overseeing the free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations currently in their 14th round, highlighted India’s “protectionist economy” as a significant factor contributing to prolonged discussions.
During a Global Trade conference at Chatham House, Badenoch emphasized the importance of securing a “commercially meaningful” pact rather than rushing for a pre-election photo opportunity. She underscored the contrast between India’s protectionist stance and the UK’s liberalized regime.
Badenoch insisted on ensuring substantive outcomes comparable to recent FTAs with Australia and Japan, rather than settling for symbolic gestures. While she acknowledged the potential for concluding an agreement before India’s elections, she cautioned against setting trade negotiation deadlines, which may compromise the quality of the deal.
The negotiations between India and the UK, initiated in January 2022, aim to bolster the existing GBP 36-billion bilateral trading partnership. Both sides are addressing key issues such as tariffs on UK exports and concerns regarding the treatment of Indian workers in the UK.
Badenoch highlighted the importance of striking a balance between facilitating imports from developing countries while upholding British standards of quality and safety. With both India and the UK facing general elections, finalizing a trade agreement has become a priority to avoid potential disruptions caused by election campaigns.