U.K., India launch trade talks as London seeks Indo-Pacific pastures

'Deal with booming economy offers huge benefits,' Johnson says

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi share a joke, as Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison watches, at the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow in November. (Photo courtesy of No. 10 Downing Street)

RHYANNON BARTLETT-IMADEGAWA and KIRAN SHARMA, Nikkei staff writers

January 13, 2022 07:30 JST

Updated on January 13, 2022 19:27 JST

LONDON/NEW DELHI -- The U.K. and India began talks for a free trade agreement on Thursday in New Delhi, as Britain hopes to secure a deal as part of its strategic focus on trade with the Indo-Pacific.

During her visit to New Delhi, British International Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan met with India's Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal to formally start talks.