Congress Questions India-UK FTA, Calls for Fugitive Transfer Pact

Fast Summary

• Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh criticized the Modi government ahead of the signing of the India-U.K.Free Trade Agreement (FTA), calling for a “Fugitive transfer Agreement” to extradite economic offenders like Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi, and Lalit Modi.
• The India-U.K. FTA will be signed on July 24, 2025, in London by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his British counterpart Keir starmer.
• Billed as the U.K.’s most significant bilateral trade deal since Brexit, it promises tariff benefits for 99% of Indian exports while easing British exports of products like whisky and cars to India.
• The deal follows three years of negotiations and aims to provide comprehensive market access across sectors for Indian goods while eliminating tariffs on nearly all product categories.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The signing of the India-U.K. Free Trade Agreement represents a milestone in India’s trade diplomacy post-Brexit. While it builds upon India’s strategy to strengthen economic ties with major global powers, opposition voices question its potential impact on local industries exposed to increased competition from British imports such as whisky and automobiles. The Congress’s call for a Fugitive Transfer Agreement reflects ongoing political concerns over unresolved issues related to financial fugitives.

From an economic standpoint, this FTA could bolster bilateral trade considerably by reducing barriers across various sectors. However, its long-term success will hinge on implementation specifics ensuring mutual benefit without undermining domestic businesses or triggering unfavorable market dynamics for either country.

Read more: India-U.K. Free Trade Agreement