Keir Starmer has been elected as the next British Prime Mini ..
Keir Starmer’s election as the British Prime Minister has sparked optimism regarding the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the UK and India. During Rishi Sunak’s term, negotiations progressed slowly. India’s relations with the UK, particularly the Labour Party, were strained after Jeremy Corbyn’s 2019 stance on Kashmir. Starmer has since reaffirmed that Kashmir is a bilateral issue, not requiring international intervention.
Starmer’s outreach to the Indian diaspora includes participation in Diwali and Holi celebrations, and assurances against Hinduphobia in the UK. His leadership may enhance Indo-UK ties, with a focus on defence, cyber security, and the Indo-Pacific region. The FTA talks, which have seen 14 rounds, are expected to prioritize business visas, social security, and tariff reductions, especially on Scotch whisky.
India aims for lower tariffs on garments and footwear to better compete with countries like Bangladesh. Trade experts anticipate tweaks in UK’s strategy and emphasis on sectors like fintech and investment, aligning with Labour’s manifesto for broader cooperation on security, technology, education, and climate change.
#UKIndiaRelations #KeirStarmer #FreeTradeAgreement #IndoUKTrade #GlobalTrade