FTA, extraditions in focus as PM meets UK's Starmer

Resumption of talks for a trade deal and the extradition of fugitive economic offenders figured prominently in talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his British counterpart Keir Starmer on the margins of the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro on Monday.

- Rezaul H Laskar

India and the UK will resume talks on a trade deal early next year to address the remaining issues and finalise a balanced and forward-looking free trade agreement (FTA), following a pause of several months due to elections in both countries.

Modi and Starmer agreed on resuming negotiations for the trade deal at their meeting, the first between the two after the latter assumed office in July.

Modi also raised the issue of extraditing economic offenders wanted by India with Starmer, and announced that two new Indian consulates will be established in Belfast and Manchester to drive economic and business ties. This will take the total number of Indian consulates in the UK to five.

In a post on X, Modi said he had an "extremely productive meeting" with Starmer. "For India, the comprehensive strategic partnership with the UK is of immense priority. In the coming years, we are eager to work closely in areas such as technology, green energy, security, innovation and technology. We also want to add strength to trade as well as cultural linkages," he said.