UK's David Lammy Visits India to Boost Ties and Finalize Free Trade Agreement

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy is set for a crucial two-day visit to India to discuss the long-pending India-UK free trade agreement and address concerns over pro-Khalistan activities in Britain. Meetings with Indian officials aim to solidify commitments and resolve lingering issues in the trade pact.

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy will arrive in India for a pivotal two-day visit starting Wednesday. This marks the first major engagement between the two nations since Prime Minister Keir Starmer's Labour government assumed office.

The delayed India-UK free trade agreement (FTA) and India’s concerns about pro-Khalistan activities in the UK are set to dominate discussions. Lammy will engage in extensive talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal.

While 90% of the FTA has been agreed upon, unresolved issues like import duties on automobiles, scotch whisky, and business visas remain. Both nations are keen to finalize the agreement soon. The talks also follow a July phone call between Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Keir Starmer, who both committed to concluding a mutually beneficial deal. Additional discussions will cover defense, security, technology, and climate change cooperation.