December 19, 2023
2 mins read

India rejects criticism over FTA delays  

In April last year, the two sides had set a Diwali deadline for concluding the free trade agreement but the deal could not be finalised in view of differences over certain issues as well as political developments in the UK…reports Asian Lite News

India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday took strong objection to those criticising New Delhi for delays in firming up the proposed free trade agreement with the UK and said careful scrutiny is required as such pacts could impact livelihoods of people.

“I hear this naysayers’ narrative coming back — why isn’t India quickly signing up (the FTA) with the UK? Nobody says why isn’t the UK quickly signing up with India? So somewhere, it is like we have to make that accommodation,” he said.

The two sides are learnt to have finalised over 20 out of 26 chapters in the FTA and are now looking at sealing it by bridging differences on certain contentious issues including mobility of people and import duty concessions on certain items.

In April last year, the two sides had set a Diwali deadline for concluding the free trade agreement but the deal could not be finalised in view of differences over certain issues as well as political developments in the UK.

“We are right now in the middle of some fairly serious negotiations with some fairly serious partners… I hear this naysayer narrative coming back, why isn’t India quickly signing up with the UK? Nobody says why isn’t the UK quickly signing up with India? So somewhere, it is like we have to make that accommodation. We are the people who somewhere are holding back, and we should speed it up because every FTA and every open step is an achievement in itself,” Jaishankar said.

In his address, the external affairs minister said, “FTAs have a use” but at the same time underlined the need for careful scrutiny of various provisions.

Jaishankar said he would like to “very judiciously consider the merits and the risks of an FTA” as any decision for a country like India could impact millions of people and it could be a matter of their livelihoods.

Jaishankar also took a pot shot at the tendency of cherry picking by some of the major powers.

Cherry picking what should be a level playing field, what should not, what should be open what should not — at the end of the day it is all about freezing leads which countries have acquired, he said.

“Those who have acquired dominance, especially economic dominance will through process of negotiations, through shaping of narratives create systems which would appear fair even if they are not,” he said.

Jaishankar also underlined the importance of introspecting about India’s foreign policy in the last 75 years.

ALSO READ-Indian Goods worth $3.7B Entering Oman to Get FTA Boost

Previous Story

14th round of India-UK FTA talks to start in Jan

Next Story

Sisi Sweeps to Third Term as Egypt’s President

Latest from -Top News

Oman Breaks Gulf Taboo on Income Tax

There is no other country in the 6-member Gulf Cooperation Council that imposes income tax….reports Asian Lite News Oman has officially become the first Gulf country to introduce a personal income tax,

Fresh Israeli Raids Hit Iran

The strikes came shortly after Iran fired a missile at Israel before dawn and triggered air raid sirens across much of the country….reports Asian Lite News Israel conducted a new wave of

Awami League Blasts Yunus ‘Propaganda’

Sheikh Hasina’s party slammed Ordinance No. 30, 2025, calling state recognition of the event an attempt to legitimise an “unconstitutional and unethical conspiracy….reports Asian Lite News Bangladesh’s ruling Awami League has strongly

Netanyahu: Iran Goals Near

Netanyahu pledged not to let Israel get dragged into a “war of attrition” with Tehran…reports Asian Lite News Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed on Sunday that Israel is “very close” to
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Govt to develop portal for employment seeking senior citizens

The aim is to devise ways to ensure senior citizens

Modi lauds progress made by Indian Americans

PM Modi said Indian Americans have come a long way