Key sticking points in the negotiations include India's high tariffs on cars and alcoholic beverages, which the UK is urging India to lower.

Formal negotiations for the FTA resumed in February 2025 after a nearly year-long hiatus, following the initial talks that began in January 2022.

In a social media post, Goyal expressed gratitude for the hospitality received and anticipated tangible outcomes from their discussions.

The ongoing negotiations have entered their final stages, focusing on various chapters including goods, services, investments, and intellectual property rights.

The proposed FTA seeks to reduce trade barriers, facilitate smoother flows of goods and services, and establish a stronger trade relationship between India and the UK.

India's Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is currently on a five-day visit to London, Oslo, and Brussels, aiming to strengthen trade and investment relations with the UK, Norway, and the European Union.

During his stay in London, Goyal met with UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds to advance the long-pending Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations.

The urgency to conclude the FTA has heightened due to anticipated challenges in international trade, particularly from rising tariffs imposed by the US.

Conversely, India is seeking greater visa access for skilled professionals and duty-free access for certain goods, while the UK is pushing for market access for dairy products.

Despite the potential benefits, the FTA is predicted to generate limited trade advantages for India, as many of its exports already face low or zero tariffs in the UK.

Goyal's visit follows Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's recent trip to the UK, which also focused on advancing the Bilateral Investment Treaty alongside the FTA negotiations.

Additionally, Goyal met with industry leaders, including Al Cook, CEO of De Beers Group, to discuss trends and sustainable practices in the gems and jewellery sector.