Cleverly will arrive in New Delhi Wednesday ahead of the G20 Foreign Ministers meeting & is set to reaffirm the UK’s commitment to conclude a free trade agreement with India.
The agreement has been in the works for 15 years & Switzerland's state secretary, Helene Budliger Artieda, will be in India Tuesday, for the 2nd time this year, for the negotiations.
New Delhi and Stockholm can capitalise on their substantial bilateral relationship as the foundation for greater collaboration, focusing first and foremost on trade.
Goyal, speaking hours after Liz Truss announced her resignation as Britain's PM, said India will "wait and watch" the situation following the change in British leadership.
Although the reason for delay wasn't clear, previous sticking points have included a steep import duty on British whiskey and India's demand for more visas for students and businesses.
UK Home Secretary earlier this week said Indian migrants constitute largest group of foreigners who overstay their visas. Both sides ‘interested’ in concluding talks for FTA, says MEA.
If New Delhi is offering tariff cuts on liquor, London must remove non-tariff barriers on Indian exports, says Vinod Giri of the Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies.
Dismantling ‘tariff walls’ for easier access into the Indian markets is expected to be biggest challenge for govt’s FTA push, something that has haunted past administrations too.
I.P. Suresh Menon of International Spirits & Wines Association of India said it's seeking an immediate reduction in duty on alcohol, which could make Scotch whisky in India cheaper.
Countering insurgency needs the Pakistan Army to demonstrate a political will that ties leaders at the centre with those in the borderlands. But it may not have the imagination.
Centre for Science and Environment in new report makes case for rationalising GST on waste material, saying most informal operators can’t afford high tax & it also hinders recycling.
21st edition of annual joint military exercise will be held from 1 to 16 September, aimed at sharing military tech, operational best practices & disaster relief coordination methods.
Standing up to America is usually not a personal risk for a leader in India. Any suggestions of foreign pressure unites India behind who they see as leading them in that fight.
COMMENTS