India, U.K. committed to signing FTA by year-end: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a joint press meeting with the U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson in New Delhi today, said India and the U.K. are working on the free trade agreement (FTA) and are committed to signing the agreement by the year-end.

“Talks are advancing on a good scale. Both the nations are determined to sign the FTA by the year-end,” he said, adding that the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership was established between India and the U.K. in 2021.

The two leaders also discussed the situation in Ukraine and called for an immediate ceasefire and finding a solution via dialogue and diplomacy. "We emphasised the importance of territorial integrity and sovereignty of all countries," said the PM. They also discussed issues in Taliban-led Afghanistan. The country should not be used to carry out terror activities against other nations, said PM Modi.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who’s on a two-day visit to India, reiterated the vital importance of the U.K.-India partnership for global peace and security. "The world faces growing threats from autocratic states, which seek to undermine democracy, choke off free and fair trade and trample on sovereignty," a statement by the U.K. PM’s office said.

The British PM also vowed to work with India to boost security in the Indo-Pacific, including new fighter jet technology, helicopters and collaboration in the undersea battlespace. "The UK’s partnership with India is a beacon in these stormy seas. Our collaboration on the issues that matter to both our countries, from climate change to energy security and defence, is of vital importance as we look to the future," he said.

Prime Minister, in his speech during the press meet, said British PM Boris Johnson has played a very important role in strengthening the relations between India and the U.K. He said India and the U.K. have launched an ambitious “Roadmap 2030” to further the bilateral ties. "During today's talks, we reviewed the progress made on this front and also set some goals," said the PM.

During their talks, PM Modi and the British PM also discussed the comprehensive reforms being taken by India. “We talked about India's infrastructure modernisation plan and the National Infrastructure Pipeline. We also welcome the growing investment in India by U.K. companies," the PM said. Both the leaders also talked about deepening climate and energy ties today, the PM said, inviting the U.K. PM to be part of India’s National Hydrogen Mission.

He said India and the U.K. will sign the global innovation partnership implementation pact today, which will make India's ties with other nations stronger. "Under this partnership, India and the U.K. will co-finance $100 million for the transfer and scale-up of 'Made in India' innovations," he said.

The leaders also talked about other global developments, including "free, open, inclusive and rules-based order" in the Indo-Pacific region. "We welcome the U.K. to be part of the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative," the PM said.

On the first day of his visit, U.K. and Indian businesses confirmed over £1 billion in new investments and export deals in areas from software engineering to health. Johnson visited a newly opened JCB factory in Gujarat’s Halol. He, along with Gujarat chief minister Bhupendra Patel, inaugurated a new plant of the U.K.-based Joseph Cyril Bamford Excavators Ltd (JCB).