India to get non-discriminatory treatment from UK in public procurement under FTA

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output: British High Commissioner to India Renu Misra on Wednesday said the UK will be giving non-discriminatory treatment to Indian firms in public procurement as part of the free trade agreement (FTA).

Speaking at the CII's Eastern Economic Conclave in Nagpur, Misra said the FTA will also open up new opportunities for Indian firms in the UK in areas such as digital trade and services.

"We are also committed to providing non-discriminatory treatment to Indian firms in public procurement, which is an important part of the FTA," she said.

The British High Commissioner said the FTA will help to deepen the economic partnership between the two countries and create jobs and prosperity in both nations.

"The FTA will help us to reduce tariffs and technical barriers to trade, which will make it easier for goods and services to move between our countries. It will also help us to open up new opportunities for trade in areas such as digital trade and services," she said.

Misra said the two countries are aiming to conclude the FTA negotiations by the end of the year.

"We are making good progress in the negotiations, and we are confident that we can reach an agreement that is mutually beneficial to both sides," she said.

The British High Commissioner said the FTA is a priority for both the UK and India.

"It is a key part of our efforts to forge a deeper and broader partnership between our two countries," she said.

The two countries launched negotiations for a comprehensive free trade agreement in January 2022. The first round of negotiations was held in New Delhi in March 2022, while the second round took place in London in April 2022.

The third round of negotiations for the India-UK free trade agreement began on Monday in New Delhi. The talks will continue until May 27.

The officials of the two countries will be negotiating the remaining chapters of the trade agreement, including government procurement, technical barriers to trade, investment, and digital trade.

The aim is to conclude the negotiations by the end of the year, paving the way for the trade pact to come into force in 2024.

The proposed FTA is expected to boost bilateral trade in goods and services, and provide a framework for cooperation in areas such as investment, technology, and climate change. It is also anticipated to create new economic opportunities for businesses and consumers in both countries.

Meanwhile, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) chief Anirudh D Sourabh on Wednesday said indigenous defence systems are crucial for future wars.

Speaking at the CII's Eastern Economic Conclave in Nagpur, Sourabh said India needs to focus on developing its own defence technologies in order to become a self-reliant economy.

"The future wars will be won by those who have developed their own defence systems," he said.

The DRDO chief said his organisation is working on several cutting-edge technologies, such as hypersonic vehicles and autonomous systems.

"We are also developing new materials and coatings that will enhance the survivability of our platforms," he said.

Sourabh said DRDO is committed to supporting the Indian government's 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' initiative.

"We are confident that we can develop the technologies that India needs to become a leading defence power," he said.

DRDO is the premier defence research and development organisation in India. It is responsible for the design, development, and production of a wide range of defence systems, including missiles, tanks, aircraft, and sonars.

The organisation has also developed several advanced technologies, such as hypersonic vehicles, autonomous systems, and new materials.

DRDO is a multi-disciplinary organisation with scientists specialising in various fields such as aeronautics, electronics, missile technology, and naval engineering. The organisation has several laboratories and research centres located across India.

The DRDO is funded by the Indian government and its annual budget is typically around Rs 10,000 crore.

The organisation's activities are guided by the Defence Ministry.

Its main role is to develop new technologies and systems for the Indian armed forces.

DRDO also undertakes research and development work for other government organisations, such as the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL).

The organisation has played a pivotal role in the development of the Indian defence industry.

It has also contributed significantly to the economic and technological progress of India.

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