India-UK FTA in final stages, legal scrubbing underway: Vikram Misri ahead of PM Modi’s London visit

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi gears up for a two-day state visit to the United Kingdom beginning July 23, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said on Tuesday that the long-negotiated India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is in its final stages, with both sides currently engaged in “legal scrubbing” and other last-minute formalities.

“We are working on legal scrubbing and other last-minute work that needs to be done,” Misri said during a press conference on the prime minister's upcoming visit to London for the signing on the trade pact on July 24.

"The UK is the sixth-largest investor in India, with cumulative investment of $36 billion. Interestingly, India is also a major investor in the UK, with nearly $20 billion in cumulative FDI,” he said.


During the visit, PM Modi is expected to hold wide-ranging talks with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on the full spectrum of bilateral relations—including trade, defence, innovation, climate change, and education.

Misri further described the relationship between the two countries as a “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” since its formal upgrade in 2021. “There have been regular high-level exchanges between the two sides, and institutional mechanisms are in place to drive cooperation across financial, strategic, energy and scientific domains,” he added.

Maldives-India FTA soon?

Meanwhile, as the prime minister is also set to visit Maldives on July 25 in the second leg of his two-nation tour, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed that India and the island nation are in discussions over a Free Trade Agreement and a broader investment pact.

The Foreign Secretary also noted that the State Bank of India continues to subscribe to Maldivian treasury bills—noting India’s sustained financial support. The two sides are expected to sign several MoUs and unveil joint infrastructure and development projects.

This will be Modi’s third state visit to the Maldives and his first since President Mohamed Muizzu assumed office.

The visit marks a symbolic and strategic milestone, coinciding with the 60th anniversary of both the Maldives’ independence and the establishment of diplomatic relations with India. PM Modi will be the Guest of Honour at the official celebrations.