PM Modi to visit UK this month to formalise FTA

The deal is expected to double bilateral trade by 2030 from $60 billion currently

- Rezaul H Laskar & Rajeev Jayaswal

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Britain later this month for the formalisation of the India-UK trade deal and to give a boost to strategic and economic ties, people familiar with the matter said.

On May 6, India and the UK finalised a free trade agreement (FTA) to boost Indian exports of textiles, leather and engineering goods and cut levies on British whisky, automobiles and medical devices. Since then, the two sides have been engaged in the legal scrubbing of the deal so that it can be formally signed.

The two sides are currently working out arrangements for Modi’s visit, for which dates are yet to be firmed up, the people said on condition of anonymity. Both countries are exploring dates towards the end of July, the people said.