Britain to continue trade talks with India despite 'serious allegations'
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shakes hand with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at Bharat Mandapam convention center for the G20 Summit, in New Delhi, India, Sept. 9, 2023. PHOTO: REUTERS
Britain will continue trade talks with India despite allegations from Canada that the Indian government was involved in the murder of a Sikh separatist leader on its soil, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
Britain was in touch with Canada about the "serious allegations" but said it would not have an impact on trade talks with India, the spokesperson said.
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Sunak is hoping to finalise a free trade deal with India as Britain looks to establish its credentials as an independent trading nation after leaving the European Union.
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Both sides have hinted at progress in recent months after a slow start to talks, raising hopes a deal could be completed ahead of elections due in both countries next year.
"Work on the trade negotiations will continue as before. The Canadian authorities will now conduct their work and I'm not going to preempt them," the spokesperson told reporters.
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"When we have concerns about countries we are negotiating trade deals with, we will raise them directly with the government concerned. But with regards to the current negotiations with India, these are negotiations about a trade deal, and we're not looking to conflate them with other issues."