UK-RTRS: Officials Seek FTA Deal Within Four Months

Reuters reporting that UK officials are set to visit India in December with the view to concluding talks on an FTA within four months. The initial target of concluding a deal in October was missed amid disagreements on tariffs as well as political upheaval in the UK.

• An unnamed UK official told Reuters that "It will take 3-4 months of steady negotiations to complete this agreement, with broad understanding over issues such as mobility and short-term work visas to the UK". A second official told Reuters that both countries are aiming to have an FTA finalised by end-March.
• Reaching a deal with India seen as a major political trade objective for the UK gov't. Would be the most substantial 'new' FTA for the country post-Brexit (other FTAs with large economies have been implemented, but these have largely been rollovers of existing EU deals).
• UK PM Rishi Sunak set to meet with Indian counterpart Narendra Modi in Bali, Indonesia as part of the G20 leaders summit.