Rishi Sunak Welcomes India-UK FTA Signing, Calls It a ‘Positive Signal’ for Global Trade Relations

By A Staff Reporter

New Delhi: Former United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Friday hailed the signing of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), calling it a milestone in bilateral relations and a strong message of global economic cooperation.

Speaking at the NDTV World Summit 2025 in New Delhi, Sunak said, “It’s great to see the trade deal being signed, something I started work on, and I’m really pleased that the new government concluded it.”

Reflecting on recent diplomatic exchanges, he noted, “The recent trips — Modi coming to the UK, and the UK Prime Minister visiting India with a big business delegation — were a great success.”

Sunak emphasised that the agreement’s impact extends beyond trade numbers. “Trade, beyond the deal, signifies two important things: in a world becoming more protectionist, signing a deep trade deal sends a positive signal globally, and it tells businesses, civil society, cultural organizations, and academic institutions that the relationship matters,” he said.