Trade talks on hold as India goes to polls

Eastern Eye16 Mar, 2024News

The Election Commission of India is expected to announce the general election schedule on Saturday. Formal talks will not take place during India’s pre-election period.The two countries have held stop-start talks over a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) for two years and both are set to hold national elections in 2024.According to UK officials, the next round of trade talks can commence only after India elects its new government.“Neither side is walking away from talks,” said one British official. “We simply do not yet have what we need to finalise a deal that meets our joint ambitions.”