Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Thursday that talks are on for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Britain. He said this amid a diplomatic row after a separatist group protested near the Indian High Commission in the UK capital London.
He said talks with Britain are on and progress is being made. Business is completely different from everything else.
However, Goyal made it clear that India would keep in mind the respect for its sovereignty and territorial integrity and would not tolerate any interference in domestic affairs.
The Ministry of External Affairs recently summoned a British diplomat over reports of some Khalistani supporters pulling down the Indian flag at the Indian High Commission during protests in London. Also took other steps like reducing security near the British Embassy. Asked about the impact of recent developments on the trade deal, Goyal said talks are on.
He told reporters, ‘I can assure you that talks are going on with Canada and European countries, apart from Britain, on trade agreements. We are also talking to Israel about this.
Goyal said that there is no deadline for the Free Trade Agreement with Britain. However, the former Prime Minister there expressed his desire to complete it before Diwali in 2022.
He said, ‘Both sides are talking at the official level regarding the Free Trade Agreement.’
Goyal said that many countries have shown interest regarding Free Trade Agreement with India and talks with many countries are going on fast.
Asked about trade in rupee, Goyal said it is a bilateral matter. The Reserve Bank of India and the Finance Ministry are looking into this. He said that many countries have shown interest in trading in rupees with India.
