Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar said trade ministers from both countries had held discussions and there was "a serious intent" to deepen trade. Britain's Dominic Raab said the two foreign ministers "would like to nudge our trade negotiators along and see what we can achieve." Earlier this year, trade minister Piyush Goyal said India was open to engage with Britain on a preferential trade agreement, ultimately leading to a free trade agreement. India pulled out of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, an Asia-Pacific free trade agreement, last year due to fears over China's access to its markets. Trade between Britain and India totalled more than 20 billion pounds ($26.60 billion) in 2018, according to Britain's Department for International Trade.

Source: bd News24 December 15, 2020 11:03 UTC