At the business roundtable, Minister Goyal highlighted India’s wide-ranging investment opportunities across key sectors and emphasized the potential for innovation-led growth through deeper bilateral collaboration
Piyush Goyal. Pic/PTI
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal expressed hope for a “tangible outcome” in the India-UK relationship after meeting with senior UK ministers during his two-day visit to the country. Goyal attended a high-level business event hosted at Lancaster House in London, where he met with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds.
The main agenda of the visit was to discuss the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The meeting was also attended by Reynolds and newly appointed UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves, signaling renewed momentum in the ongoing negotiations.
“Had a fruitful exchange on advancing India-UK economic ties and further building on our strong partnership,” Goyal said after the meeting, according to PTI. He expressed his desire for “positive, tangible outcomes” to further strengthen the partnership between the two nations.
At the business roundtable, Minister Goyal highlighted India’s wide-ranging investment opportunities across key sectors and emphasized the potential for innovation-led growth through deeper bilateral collaboration. “Grateful for the warm and gracious hospitality extended by our UK partners,” he noted, reaffirming his commitment to expanding investment avenues and driving innovation.
On Monday, Goyal engaged with several senior business leaders to explore avenues for stronger collaborations. He met Revolut Chair Martin Gilbert to discuss India’s fintech ecosystem and the role of global partnerships in driving innovation. He also met Al Cook, CEO of De Beers Group, to exchange views on sustainable practices and growth prospects in the global gems and jewellery sector.
These interactions were followed by a dinner roundtable discussion with a delegation of Indian CEOs, including FICCI Senior Vice-Chairman Anant Goenka and past presidents Harsh Pati Singhania and Rajan Bharti Mittal. “Discussed the robust growth of our industry and avenues for greater collaboration with the UK for mutual prosperity,” Goyal said after the meeting.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer reiterated the UK government’s commitment to finalizing an FTA with India. “The government is committed to doing the right deal with India, which will improve access for UK businesses, cut tariffs, and make trade cheaper and easier,” he said in response to questions on the timeline of the agreement.
Following his UK visit, Goyal is scheduled to continue trade and investment discussions in Norway and Brussels. The FTA negotiations, which were relaunched in February after a pause due to last year’s general elections, aim to significantly boost the estimated GBP 41 billion-a-year India-UK trade partnership.
(With inputs from PTI)
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