Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what recent progress her Department has made on negotiating a free trade agreement with India.

British trade with India has averaged around £20 billion over recent years. The Indian market is huge, and the scope for growth is great. My Rt hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced an Enhanced Trade Partnership with India in May, which addresses some immediate market access barriers and sets out our intent to negotiate a free trade agreement. My Department has since launched a public consultation, which closes on 31^st August, to give businesses the opportunity to share their experiences of trading with India. A deal would make it easier for British businesses to succeed in India’s dynamic market, driving growth and supporting jobs across the United Kingdom.