India, UK agree to expedite Free Trade Agreement
India and the United Kingdom on Monday expressed their commitment to an early conclusion of the long-delayed free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries.
The FTA has been in the pipeline for some time now and has missed a few deadlines, the most significant of them being Diwali 2022.
Addressing a joint press conference with UK Chancellor of Exchequer Jeremy Hunt, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said both sides intend to expedite the free trade agreement.
“There is definitely some discussion on the FTA…the key on both the sides is to conclude it as soon as possible,” she said at the conclusion of the 12th India-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue.
Hunt appreciated the efforts being made for the direct listing of Indian companies on the London Stock Exchange (LSE).
“We are particularly pleased to have made a big step forward with the first confirmation by India that it will explore the LSE as an international destination for the direct listing of Indian companies.”