UK-India trade negotiations inquiry launched by Lords

The committee seeks to explore all aspects of a new UK-India trade agreement, in particular how it will affect consumers and businesses; and the likely economic, social, environmental and other impacts of the agreement. 

Topics the committee is seeking evidence on include:  

• What are the potential benefits for the UK of a Future Trade Agreement (FTA) with India, and what are the potential downsides?  
• In what ways may the UK or specific sectors (e.g. education and research) benefit from relaxed visa rules for Indian citizens? Might India’s demand for relaxed visa rules go beyond what would benefit the UK economy?  If so, how could such risks be mitigated? 
• How might an FTA with India impact the UK’s devolved nations and English regions, and how could their interests be best protected?   
• What specific protections should be sought on the environment and climate? What is your assessment of how goods and services traded under an agreement with India could affect both countries’ carbon (and other greenhouse gas) emissions? 
• What protections should be sought on human, labour, women’s and minority rights?  
• What risks could a trade agreement with India pose to the UK’s food safety standards, animal and plant health or animal welfare standards? How could any such risks be mitigated? 
• How may an FTA with India affect UK trade with other developing countries; if there is a risk of trade diversion, how could this be mitigated?  

The committee invites interested individuals to submit written evidence by Sunday 27 February 2022. The full call for evidence and further information  is available on the committee’s website.   

Baroness Hayter, Chair of the International Agreements Committee said:  

“India is already one of the UK’s largest trading partners and a growing economy. As such, a trade deal has the potential to deliver significant gains, though there may also be downsides.  

“Negotiations with India started on 17 January and future negotiating rounds are expected to take place approximately every five weeks. We will be scrutinising the negotiations, the Government’s Negotiating Objectives, as well as the final content of the agreement.  

“In due course, we plan to produce a report on the Government’s published Negotiating Objectives. While we may hold a small number of oral evidence sessions, we will be particularly reliant on written evidence for this report. This call for evidence is open to anyone with an interest in the negotiations and we welcome a wide range of views to ensure that the best possible agreement is secured for our economy and our future.”