UK aims to start negotiations for trade agreement with India this year

The United Kingdom said on Tuesday it aims to start negotiations for a trade agreement with India by the end of the year. "We are currently in the pre-negotiation scoping phase of an FTA (free trade agreement), with the aim of starting negotiations by the end of this year," a spokesperson for Britain's Department for International Trade said.

"With bilateral trade valued at 23 billion pounds ($31.60 billion) in 2019, a trade deal with India will help boost British exports through lower tariffs and increased investment opportunities," the spokesperson said in an emailed statement.