India and the UK have agreed to start negotiations later this year on a bilateral Free Trade Agreement besides kicking off a series of trade working groups from September. Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce and Industry and Liz Truss, UK’s International Trade Secretary have decided to enhance India-UK trade partnership and take forward negotiations for a bilateral Free Trade Agreement. Truss spoke with Goyal to discuss the scope and ambition for a UK-India free trade agreement following the close of the Department for International Trade’s public consultation last month.

These discussions will help both sides better understand each other’s position on potential chapter areas in any trade deal, including tariffs, standards, IP and data regulation. They also discussed the newly-established Enhanced Trade Partnership, and confirmed their commitment to timely implementation of the market access package.

Truss reaffirmed her ambition to negotiate a trade agreement that delivers results for the British people and businesses, including those in digital and data, tech and food and drink. Both ministers agreed that continuing to engage with the business community was vital throughout the forthcoming negotiations.