India-UK FTA nearing completion, 'last-minute work' underway: Misri ahead of PM Modi's London visit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to embark on a two-day state visit to the United Kingdom starting July 23, with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announcing Tuesday (July 22) that the long-delayed India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is nearing completion, with both nations finalising “legal scrubbing” and other closing formalities.

“We are working on legal scrubbing and other last-minute work that needs to be done,” Misri stated at a press conference ahead of Modi’s London visit, where the trade pact is slated for signing on July 24.

“The UK is the sixth-largest investor in India, with cumulative investment of $36 billion. Interestingly, India is also a major investor in the UK, with nearly $20 billion in cumulative FDI,” he highlighted.

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During the visit, PM Modi will engage in comprehensive discussions with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, covering trade, defence, innovation, climate change, and education.

Misri stressed the “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” established in 2021 between the two countries, noting, “There have been regular high-level exchanges between the two sides, and institutional mechanisms are in place to drive cooperation across financial, strategic, energy and scientific domains.”

PM Modi will also embark on a state visit to the Maldives from July 25–26 at the invitation of President Mohamed Muizzu.

This marks Modi’s third trip to the Maldives and the first by a head of state or government during Muizzu’s presidency.

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On July 26, Modi will serve as the “Guest of Honour” at the 60th anniversary celebrations of Maldives’ Independence.

During the visit, he will hold talks with President Muizzu on shared interests and review progress on the India-Maldives Joint Vision for a “Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership,” adopted during Muizzu’s October 2024 state visit to India.

“The visit reflects the importance India attaches to its maritime neighbour, Maldives, which continues to hold a special place in India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and Vision MAHASAGAR. The visit will provide an opportunity for both sides to further deepen and strengthen the close bilateral relationship,” India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.