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India-UK Free Trade Agreement: PM Modi may visit London next week, deal likely to be signed
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his UK counterpart Keir Starmer. Modi, who annoiunced the Free Trade Agreement on social media, said he is looking forward to welcoming Starmer to India. Reuters
With the India-UK Free Trade Agreement in mind, reports are emerging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to travel to the United Kingdom on July 23-24. According to a report by CNN News18, the visit by the prime minister could see both sides formally ink the landmark India-UK free trade deal and discuss expanding bilateral security ties.
Sources close to the matter said that the deal is likely to take about a year to become effective. In May this year, India and the UK agreed to a landmark deal that is expected to benefit 99 per cent of Indian exports from tariffs and will make it easier for British firms to export whisky, cars and other products to India.
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The deal intends to boost the overall trade between the two nations amid global uncertainties due to the Trump tariffs. In the past, PM Modi described the trade pact as a 'historic milestone' to catalyse trade, investment, growth and job creation in both economies. The trade would overall deepen the India-UK comprehensive strategic partnership.
PM Modi to visit the Maldives after the UK
According to CNN News18, after the prime minister visits the UK, he will be heading to the Maldives as India and the island nation repair their strained relations. The prime minister will travel to the Maldives on July 25 for a two-day visit where he will be the chief guest at the country's 60th National Day celebrations.
Maldives President, Mohamed Muizzu, had extended an invitation to PM Modi to attend the occasion. It is pertinent to note that this will be PM Modi's first visit to the country since the bilateral ties nosedived due to the ' India Out' campaign by some Maldivian politicians. Muizzu's pro-China stance also did not help the cause.
In light of this, the Maldives' government is seeking to mend ties with India. The invitation was seen as a bid to do the same. The visit is seen as an important change to clear up the ongoing issues between the two nations and strengthen cooperation.
The visit would also reflect India's commitment to its 'Neighbourhood First' policy in the Indian Ocean region. The prime minister last visited the Maldives for a one-on-one meeting with the then-president in June 2019.
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Listening to the rendition of spiritual hymns by Odhuvamurthys (Saivite gurus) and a Shiva-chant concert by music maestro Ilaiyaraja, the PM said the the spiritual atmosphere deeply moved the soul. Amid chants of Vedic and Saivite Thirumurai, Modi prayed at the Lord Shiva temple here, built by Rajendra Chola-I to mark his victories and the founding of a new city Gangaikonda Cholapuram. Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a roadshow here on Sunday soon after his arrival to preside over the function to mark the birth anniversary of Rajendra Chola. During the roadshow, the prime minister stood on the running board of his vehicle and waved at the people who lined up on both sides of the road. Workers of the BJP and AIADMK enthusiastically gathered on roadsides and they showered flowers and petals on Prime Minister Modi all through the 3-kilometer road show route; the flags of the BJP and AIADMK fluttered. The prime minister released a commemorative coin honouring Rajendra Chola I, and attended the launch of the Tamil Gita album, facilitated by the Chinmaya Mission, remarking that the initiative energises the nation's resolve to preserve its heritage. The PM also released a booklet on 'Thirumurai recital,' (recital of Saivite hymns). The prime minister arrived in Tuticorin on July 26 night and inaugurated, laid foundation stones for projects worth about Rs 4,900 crore. On Sunday, he presided over the Aadi Thiruvathirai festival's grand finale here, which commenced on July 23. The event is an initiative of the Union Ministry of Culture/the ASI which maintains the Chola-era Lord Shiva temple here. Gangaikonda Cholapuram in Ariyalur district is near Kumbakonam in the Cauvery delta region of Tamil Nadu. After completing his 2-day engagements in Tamil Nadu, the prime minister left for Delhi on July 27 from Tiruchirappali, where he stayed on Saturday night. (Only the headline has been reworked by staff. Copy comes from an agency feed)
