New Delhi: Minister Piyush Goyal of the Trade and Industry started on Wednesday with a two-day official visit to the UK, looking for the India-Uk Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and a broader economic cooperation, the government said in a statement on Wednesday.
The visit follows a joint deployment of Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Keir Starmer to close the trading pact, which has been negotiating for more than two years.
Also read: India-Uk FTA Talks: Piyush Goyal to meet the British counterpart Jonathan Reynolds to conclude the trade agreement
The overcrowded agenda of Goyal reflects the intention of New Delhi to accelerate the deal and to strengthen ties with an important Western partner. During his visit he will have bilateral conversations with the British State Secretary for Affairs and Jonathan Reynolds exchange to revise the progress of the free trade agreement and to draw up a time -bound route map for the conclusion and implementation.
Goyal is also planned to meet Chancellor of the Treasury Rachel Reeves to discuss macro-economic coordination, financial cooperation and ways to facilitate two-way investments. Separately discussions with the British State Secretary for Culture, Media and Sport Lisa Nandy will explore opportunities in creative industries and innovation -oriented sectors, areas that are increasingly seen as future growth engines for both economies.
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In addition, Goyal will participate in several sessions on the India Global Forum (IGF), including the Mainstage Plenary, the Future Frontiers Forum and a round table with closed door entitled From agreement to action: VK – India FTA. The forum will bring together business leaders, investors and policymakers to map the next phase of India-UK economic involvement.
A significant part of the visit will focus on interactions in industry, with Goyal planned to meet leading CEOs and stakeholders from sectors such as fintech, logistics, shipping and advanced production to strengthen commercial tires and to attract new investments in India.
“The visit comes at a crucial moment for the relations between India and UK,” said the official explanation, adding that the commitments of Goyal have the goal of strengthening “mutual trust, unlocking new paths of cooperation and unlocking a shared commitment to inclusive, sustainable and high impact economic growth.”
