Description: The relaunched trade talks between the UK and India have reportedly entered final stages of negotiations. Both countries reshaped previous talks held around securing free trade and establishing legal protection for Indian businesses in the UK. India’s Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman has been in the UK since 08 Apr where she met with UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Prime Minister Keir Starmer. India and the UK would strive towards joint economic growth in unstable geoeconomic period with both countries impacted by the US tariffs and substantial strategic uncertainty.
Impact: The free trade agreement between India and the UK comes as a result of the instability and uncertainty the US tariffs have caused, as UK’s largest and strongest strategic partner. India’s vast market potential and rapidly developing economy could both benefit the UK’s market but also overwhelm it as India has been known to fund fast growth potential in high income low risk businesses which have proven to be cost effective. Free trade only sets the foundations of what could be a mid-to-long-term strategic partnership as alliances rapidly shift and transpire where countries look for markets bounded by security and stable response towards negative external factors.