India and UK looking to conclude FTA Negotiations

India and the UK have begun tense talks to seek a free trade agreement. Leaders of both parties are trying to resolve important issues before they face an election campaign next year.

A British delegation, including chief negotiator Amanda Brooks and the prime minister's economic adviser Douglas McNeil, is in New Delhi this week for further talks, according to a source familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity. This is the 13th round of negotiations to expand trade relations worth $24 billion last year.

Britain's Department of Economy and Trade declined to comment on Dec 4. A spokesman for India's commerce ministry did not respond to an email seeking further information.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a small window to strike a deal between a landslide victory in state elections confirmed on Dec 5 and national elections next year. The trade deal, which has been under discussion for over two years, is India's biggest ambition and will showcase the country's influence as the world's most populous country and largest economy.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is also seeking deeper ties with India to implement Britain's decision to leave the European Union in 2016. The Conservative Party currently trails the opposition Labor Party by  20 percent in opinion polls, and Sunak has been instrumental in growing the UK economy this season.