India, UK Conclude Second Round Of Talks For Free Trade Agreement; Third Round Of Negotiations To Be Held In April

India and the United Kingdom have concluded the second round of negotiations for a free trade agreement and the third round of talks are slated to be held in April.

"On Thursday (17 March), the India and the United Kingdom concluded the second round of talks for an India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA)," the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said in a release on Friday (25 March).

"A delegation of Indian officials undertook technical talks in London. The negotiations were conducted in a hybrid fashion, with some negotiators in a dedicated UK negotiations facility, and others attending virtually," the ministry said.

"For this round of negotiations, draft treaty text was shared and discussed across most chapters that will make up the agreement," the statement said.

Further, technical experts from both sides came together for discussions in 64 separate sessions covering 26 policy areas, according to the ministry.

The ministry added that the third round negotiations is due to be hosted by India in April 2022.