British Prime Minister Keir Starmer begins a two-day visit to India on Wednesday, joined by more than a hundred leaders from the business, culture and university sectors in an effort to promote a recently signed trade deal.
Britain and India signed a free trade agreement in July during a visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sealing a deal to cut tariffs on goods from textiles to whisky and cars, and allow more market access for businesses.
Talks on the trade pact were concluded in May after three years of stop-start negotiations, with both sides hastening efforts to clinch a deal in the shadow of tariff turmoil unleashed by U.S. President Donald Trump.
The deal between the world's fifth- and sixth-largest economies aims to increase bilateral trade by a further £25.5 billion ($34 billion) by 2040.
But the government has said that the projections were a floor, not a ceiling, to the ambition of the deal, and the visit with executives from the likes of oil major BP, engine maker Rolls-Royce, telecom firm BT, was aimed at maximising Britain's biggest post-Brexit trade deal.
"It's not just a piece of paper, it's a launchpad for growth," Starmer said, adding that India was projected to be the third-biggest economy in the world by 2028.
"The opportunities waiting to be seized are unparalleled."
Starmer will hold bilateral talks with Modi on Thursday. Both sides have said they are looking to ratify the deal and bring it into effect within the next year.
Growth is one of Starmer's key priorities as he tries to reverse a slide in the polls, with a November fiscal budget expected to show a tricky fiscal picture.
British Airways, owned by IAG, said it would add a third daily flight from London's Heathrow Airport to Delhi in 2026, while Manchester Airport also said it would add a Delhi route, operated by IndiGo.
The trip also features representatives from drinks maker Diageo and the Scotch Whisky Association, with the UK-India trade deal set to cut whisky tariffs faced by UK firms to 75% from 150%, before reducing them to 40% over the next decade.
The industry has been lobbying the UK government to reduce U.S. tariffs after a deal between the countries did not cover whisky.
Former Georgia President Mikheil Saakashvili has returned to prison in Georgia following an extended hospital stay which saw him receive treatment at ...
LATAM Airlines has been forced to cancel 173 flights, affecting approximately 20,000 passengers, following a pilot strike that began at midnight. The ...
U.S. envoy Jared Kushner met Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday as attention shifts to the tougher second phase of the Gaza ceasefire...
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a Declaration on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership on Wednesday, ...
At least 37 people were killed and dozens injured after a bus plunged into a ravine in the Arequipa region of southern Peru, local authorities said on...
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a Declaration on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership on Wednesday, marking a significant step in enhancing the bilateral ties between the two nations.
Opposition figures are accusing Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Pará Governor Helder Barbalho of facilitating the sale of the Amazon to China.
At least 37 people were killed and dozens injured after a bus plunged into a ravine in the Arequipa region of southern Peru, local authorities said on Wednesday.
Two earthquakes centered in Cyprus on Wednesday were felt across northern and central regions of Israel, raising concerns among residents in both countries. The first tremor occurred at 11:31 a.m., with the epicenter near Paphos, Cyprus, at a depth of 21 kilometers.
A source has confirmed to Anewz that all bodies of the 20 victims in the Turkish Military place crash have been recovered by search teams in Georgia's Sighnaghi municipality.
Georgian Interior Minister Geka Geladze has visited the site of the Turkish military helicopter crash in Sighnaghi Municipality, near the Georgia–Azerbaijan border.
Two earthquakes centered in Cyprus on Wednesday were felt across northern and central regions of Israel, raising concerns among residents in both countries. The first tremor occurred at 11:31 a.m., with the epicenter near Paphos, Cyprus, at a depth of 21 kilometers.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has announced a high level delegation visit to Pakistan as part of efforts to secure a lasting ceasefire between Kabul and Islamabad.
Anewz correspondent Nini Nikoleishvili reports from site of crashed Turkish military plane in Sighnaghi Municipality, saying that limited visibility and rugged terrain are slowing down recovery efforts.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a Declaration on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership on Wednesday, marking a significant step in enhancing the bilateral ties between the two nations.
At least 37 people were killed and dozens injured after a bus plunged into a ravine in the Arequipa region of southern Peru, local authorities said on Wednesday.
Two earthquakes centered in Cyprus on Wednesday were felt across northern and central regions of Israel, raising concerns among residents in both countries. The first tremor occurred at 11:31 a.m., with the epicenter near Paphos, Cyprus, at a depth of 21 kilometers.
Ahead of France's World Cup qualifier against Ukraine on Thursday (November 13), the French national team took a moment to reflect on the tragic events of the 2015 Paris attacks, marking the 10th anniversary of the coordinated assaults that left 130 people dead.
On Wednesday, Zhao Leji, Chairman of China’s National People's Congress Standing Committee, met with King Felipe VI of Spain in Beijing, marking a significant moment in the strengthening of bilateral ties between the two nations.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment