Will Boris Johnson's Resignation have an Impact on India-UK Trade Talks?

According to an official, there are no immediate indications of the impact of recent political developments in Britain on the advanced India-UK negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) aimed at further strengthening economic ties between the countries. On July 7, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson resigned as Conservative Party leader, following an unprecedented mutiny within his Cabinet and abandonment by his close allies in the aftermath of a series of scandals that rocked his government, triggering a leadership election for a new Tory leader who will go on to become his successor.

Both countries formally began negotiations for a free trade agreement in January, with the goal of increasing bilateral trade and investment. In such treaties, two countries either eliminate or significantly reduce customs duties on the maximum number of goods traded between them, in addition to relaxing norms to promote investment and services trade.

"The development in the UK has happened very recently... We have not received any indications about having any effect of resignation on the ongoing FTA talks. Since the Conservative Party is still going to be in the government, we do not see any immediate problem and we have not heard of any reason which may affect the strong bilateral partnership between India and the UK," the official said.