MOSCOW, June 14 (Sputnik) – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has discussed with his UK counterpart, Rishi Sunak, the progress on the 2030 Roadmap for India-UK future relations, including a free trade agreement, on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Italy, the Indian Foreign Ministry said on Friday.
“The leaders discussed the implementation of the Roadmap 2030 and expressed happiness on progress in all areas of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership including regular high level political consultations, defence and security, trade and economic collaboration, critical and high technology sectors and people-to-people ties,” the ministry said in a statement.
The two leaders also expressed their satisfaction with the progress in the negotiations on the future free trade agreement and discussed multilateral and regional issues of mutual concern, the ministry added.
Modi arrived in Italy on Thursday to take part in the Outreach section of the G7 summit and hold a series of bilateral meetings.
India and the United Kingdom initiated the first round of negotiations on the free trade agreement on January 17, 2022. So far, 13 rounds concluded and the 14th started on January 10. The document will reportedly be signed after the parliamentary elections in the UK in July.
A free trade agreement between London and New Delhi will aim at cutting tariffs, providing more opportunities for UK and Indian companies in their markets and increasing bilateral trade to up to $100 billion by 2030.