Gaps narrow in mobility, auto as India-UK FTA talks advance

Talks between India and the UK on a trade deal have reached an "advanced stage" as negotiators have significantly narrowed differences on key issues while a few unresolved matters will require a political nod, four officials aware of the developments said on Friday.

- Rajeev Jayaswal and Rezaul H Laskar

Among the issues on which the two sides have narrowed divergences are business mobility, Scotch whisky, and automobiles, increasing hopes for a breakthrough within the next two weeks, the officials said on condition of anonymity.

India's key ask for liberalising business mobility for short duration deployment of professionals is only to facilitate trade between the two countries, particularly in services, and it is in no way related to the larger issue of immigration, which is not even part of the free trade agreement (FTA), they said.

"It seems the UK has nearly agreed to grant access to Indian professionals for business-related visits on a reciprocal basis...," one official said. The negotiators under the direct guidance of commerce secretary-level officials - are currently holding talks in New Delhi. With the UK reluctant to go beyond the current level of 100,000 work visas issued to Indians annually, the Indian side suggested as a compromise that the number could be increased while reducing the duration of visas.