Hope to find 'landing point' that works for both in India-U.K. FTA: Jaishankar

India-U.K. relationship a ‘positive force’ for world: Jaishankar. India and U.K. negotiating FTA, hoping to find a ‘landing point’ that works for both sides. PM Modi-led Govt. has unfolded series of schemes, India embracing tech. Diaspora a ‘motivator’ to enhance ties, open pathways for collaboration.

The free trade agreement (FTA) is very much the focus of the India-U.K. relationship today and India is hopeful of finding a “landing point” in the negotiations that works for both sides, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has said.

At a special Diwali Reception organised by the High Commission of India at Westminster Central Hall near the Houses of Parliament in London on November 13 evening, Mr. Jaishankar addressed a large diaspora gathering during which he described the bilateral relationship with the U.K. as a “positive force” for the world. He also shared insights into the fast pace of technological advances and socio-economic development underway in India, calling on the U.K.-based Indian diaspora — one of the largest in the world — to spread the story of the new India.

“Today to realise the Agenda 2030, we are focusing on what is officially called an Enhanced Trade Partnership, in common terms it’s called an FTA — or free trade agreement. And that is today very much the focus of what the Indian and British systems are negotiating, and we hope that we will find a landing point that works for both of us,” said Mr. Jaishankar.

“India and the U.K. have a long history, and a very complex history. What we are trying to do is to make history a positive force with our commonalities, shared practices and institutions… to make history work for us,” he said.

India and the U.K. have been negotiating a free trade agreement (FTA) since January last year with a target to significantly enhance the estimated GBP 36-billion bilateral trading partnership.

The talks have undergone 13 rounds of negotiations, with officials hopeful of clinching a deal ahead of general elections in both countries scheduled for 2024.

Mr. Jaishankar, who arrived in the U.K. over the weekend for a five-day visit, began his address by thanking British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for taking the time to host him at 10 Downing Street on a busy Diwali day on November 12. Referencing the U.K. Government upheaval on Nov. 13, he spoke of how he “really valued” that the newly appointed Foreign Secretary David Cameron — elevated to the Cabinet in a surprise reshuffle by Mr. Sunak just hours before — made time to meet him on day one of his new job even before he “addressed his own Ministry”.