India-UK Trade Talks Resume: FTA, BIT and SSA
Why in the news
India and the UK relaunched negotiations on trade, investment and social security after about a year.
Key facts
- Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and UK Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds opened the two-day talks in New Delhi.
- No deadline; Goyal wants “speed, not haste”.
| Agreement | Status |
|---|---|
| Free Trade Agreement | Begun under Boris Johnson with a 9-month target; delayed |
| Bilateral Investment Treaty | UK priority; India’s Finance Ministry handles it |
| Social Security Agreement | Non-negotiable for India; a bottleneck |
Reasons for delay
- UK political instability, unresolved differences and 2024 general elections in both countries.
Exam angle
- Abbreviations: FTA, BIT, SSA.