India-UK Free Trade Agreement: PM Modi may visit London next week, deal likely to be signed

With the India-UK Free Trade Agreement in mind, reports are emerging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to travel to the United Kingdom on July 23-24. According to a report by CNN News18, the visit by the prime minister could see both sides formally ink the landmark India-UK free trade deal and discuss expanding bilateral security ties.

Sources close to the matter said that the deal is likely to take about a year to become effective. In May this year, India and the UK agreed to a landmark deal that is expected to benefit 99 per cent of Indian exports from tariffs and will make it easier for British firms to export whisky, cars and other products to India.

The deal intends to boost the overall trade between the two nations amid global uncertainties due to the Trump tariffs. In the past, PM Modi described the trade pact as a “historic milestone” to catalyse trade, investment, growth and job creation in both economies. The trade would overall deepen the India-UK comprehensive strategic partnership.

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PM Modi to visit the Maldives after the UK

According to CNN News18, after the prime minister visits the UK, he will be heading to the Maldives as India and the island nation repair their strained relations. The prime minister will travel to the Maldives on July 25 for a two-day visit where he will be the chief guest at the country’s 60th National Day celebrations.

Maldives President, Mohamed Muizzu, had extended an invitation to PM Modi to attend the occasion. It is pertinent to note that this will be PM Modi’s first visit to the country since the bilateral ties nosedived due to the “ India Out ” campaign by some Maldivian politicians. Muizzu’s pro-China stance also did not help the cause.

In light of this, the Maldives’ government is seeking to mend ties with India. The invitation was seen as a bid to do the same. The visit is seen as an important change to clear up the ongoing issues between the two nations and strengthen cooperation.

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The visit would also reflect India’s commitment to its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy in the Indian Ocean region. The prime minister last visited the Maldives for a one-on-one meeting with the then-president in June 2019.