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Rishi Sunak and Narendra Modi have injected greater impetus into UK-India trade negotiations, instructing ministers and officials to work “at pace” to secure a deal.
The UK prime minister and his Indian counterpart exhibited strikingly warm chemistry when they met on the margins of the G20 summit in New Delhi on Saturday, embracing each other with a bear hug, back slapping, and laughter.
Sunak, the first UK prime minister of Indian descent, made his first visit to India since arriving in Number 10. The trip generated interest in India, making headlines on the front page of The Times of India this week.
After the bilateral meeting, Sunak expressed confidence in the potential for a successful trade deal between London and New Delhi. He emphasized the desire on both sides to overcome obstacles and reach an agreement.
Prior to the trip, UK officials were cautiously optimistic about securing a deal by Diwali on November 12. If an agreement is reached, Sunak may make a second visit to India this autumn.
Sunak also highlighted the possibility of deeper collaboration between the UK and India in defense and security, education, and research. The UK prime minister described India as one of the most important geopolitical actors in the coming decades and emphasized the importance of maintaining close ties.
Downing Street stated that the two leaders had a productive conversation about a trade deal and agreed to continue working at a fast pace with their respective teams.
While there are still some sticking points, Britain is hopeful for a deal that would expand the market for whisky and cars in India, as well as increase opportunities in services and investment. India, on the other hand, aims to boost its exports of manufactured goods and services to the UK and secure additional work visas for its citizens.
Anglo-Indian relations have had their challenges since Sunak became Prime Minister last October, including incidents like the tearing down of a flag from India’s high commission during a protest in London. However, Sunak made an effort to start the meeting with Modi on a positive note by praising the newly modified convention center where the G20 summit was held.
Sunak also mentioned his daughters’ interest in Chandrayaan-3, the Indian space mission that recently landed a robotic probe near the moon’s south pole. He described it as a historic moment that captured everyone’s attention.
Despite the positive tone of the meeting, Sunak did not shy away from raising the case of Jagtar Singh Johal, a jailed Briton facing the death penalty in India.
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