UK FTA talks set to restart; India may soften its stance on mobility

India and the UK are set to restart talks for a free trade agreement (FTA) after nearly a year, with a top British delegation arriving in New Delhi on Sunday.

- Dhirendra Kumar & Rhik Kundu

India is likely to soften its demand on workers' mobility considering reservations in the new British government led by prime minister Keir Starmer, two people familiar with the matter said. The resumption of talks comes at a time both nations look to deepen economic ties, amid a tariff war unleashed by US president Donald Trump.

British secretary of state for business and trade Jonathan Reynolds is scheduled to reach New Delhi on Sunday for a three-day visit, one of the two people cited above said. On Monday, Reynolds is expected to meet his Indian counterpart Piyush Goyal.

"An official announcement on the restart of negotiations is expected following the meeting," the person said on the condition of anonymity.

Accompanying Reynolds will be the UK's minister of state for investment Poppy Gustafsson, though she will not be directly involved in the FTA discussions.

The last round of India-UK FTA talks was held in March 2024. Talks were suspended in May, before UK went to polls in July.