Modi and Sunak agree to accelerate progress on India-UK FTA
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The talks between Modi and Sunak came at a time when a media report this week claimed that unless strong action is taken against the pro-Khalistan groups responsible for the attack on the Indian High Commission in London India has put FTA talks with UK on hold.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Thursday spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and agreed to expedite the process of resolving outstanding issues in the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations for early completion. The talks between Modi and Sunak came at a time when a media report this week claimed that unless strong action is taken against the pro-Khalistan groups responsible for the attack on the Indian High Commission in London India has put FTA talks with UK on hold.
Both the countries denied these reports. According to a statement issued by the British Prime Minister’s Office, Sunak once again condemned the violence outside the Indian High Commission in London last month as unacceptable and spoke about the steps being taken to ensure the safety of Indian diplomatic staff. I informed Modi. A statement issued by India’s Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said the two leaders reviewed progress on a number of bilateral issues, especially in the trade and economic sectors. The two leaders also reviewed progress on a number of bilateral issues as part of the India-UK Roadmap 2030, according to the PMO. According to the statement, Modi raised the issue of security of Indian diplomatic establishments in the UK and called for strong action by the UK government against anti-India elements.
According to the PMO, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that the UK finds the attack on the Indian High Commission totally unacceptable and has assured the safety of the Indian mission and its personnel. During the conversation, Modi also raised the issue of economic criminals taking refuge in Britain. It is noteworthy that India is trying to extradite industrialist Vijay Mallya and fugitive diamond trader Nirav Modi from Britain. Mallya fled to the UK in 2016 and is wanted in India in connection with a loan default of Rs 9,000 crore.
Nirav Modi is facing charges in connection with a nearly $2 billion loan scam from Punjab National Bank. They called for progress on the return of those Indian fugitives so that they can appear before the Indian judicial system, the statement said. According to the PMO, the two leaders agreed on the need for early conclusion of a mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement between the countries.
Modi invited Sunak for the G20 summit to be held in September 2023. Prime Minister Sunak commended the progress made under India’s Chairmanship of the G20 and reiterated the UK’s full support for its success. Prime Minister Modi greeted UK Prime Minister Sunak and the Indian community on the eve of Baisakhi, and the two leaders agreed to remain in touch.
Disclaimer:IndiaTheNews has not edited this news. This news has been published from PTI-language feed.
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