India urges UK to fast-track ratification of trade pact

INDIA HAS REQUESTED the United Kingdom (UK) to fast-track the ratification process of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) so that it enters into force as early as possible and help Indian exporters diversify, commerce secretary Sunil Bathwal said on Thursday.

- MUKESH JAGOTA

If in the next six months the India-UK trade agreement gets operationalised, it will immediately provide zero duty access to Indian exports so any disadvantage from tariff differential that the exports may face in the US may get covered in the UK, he added.

Pending the operationalisation of CETA, the government is encouraging exporters to reach out to businesses in the UK for contracts so that the trade can start flowing immediately. "We are ready to facilitate them," the secretary said.