Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

India: Foreign Direct Investment and Trade

Thursday 16 June 2022 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Trade with India was worth over 24 billion in the previous year.
  • British and Indian businesses confirmed more than 1 billion in new investment and export deals.
  • Government is pursuing deeper engagement with India through the integrated review.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Andrew Bridgen Con
Business & Trade
Context

Discussions with India on increasing trade and foreign direct investment.

Question

What recent discussions she has had with her Indian counterpart on increasing (a) trade with and (b) foreign direct investment from India.

Answer from Ranil Jayawardena

Our trading relationship with India was worth over £24 billion last year, and we are already India's top investment destination in Europe. We have had many discussions and remain determined to create more good jobs and boost wages across Britain.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide details of recent discussions specifically requested

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Q2 Felicity Buchan
Business & Trade
Context

Kensington's strong links with India and the launch of International Yoga Day.

Question

Can my hon. Friend explain to the House how a trade agreement with India can benefit the whole of the UK?

Answer from Ranil Jayawardena

British and Indian businesses have confirmed more than £1 billion of new investment and export deals in areas from software engineering to health, creating almost 11,000 jobs across the country, including in Edinburgh, Leeds, Northumberland and York.

Answered
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Q3 Andrew Bridgen Con
Business & Trade
Context

Historical ties and democratic structure with India.

Question

Does the Minister agree that British business should look more towards India than China for future trade relationships given its democratic structure and our historical ties, and what steps are the Government taking to encourage and facilitate that?

Answer from Ranil Jayawardena

Through the integrated review, we are pursuing deeper engagement with India and other partners across the Indo-Pacific, supporting those who champion Anglo-Indian relations.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific steps taken to encourage UK-India trade

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Q4 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
Foreign Affairs Religion & Faith
Context

Contacts between the UK and India culturally, economically, historically.

Question

Can the Minister outline what steps are being taken to ensure compliance with human rights, which is an essential component of any trade deal, as a priority?

Answer from Ranil Jayawardena

We encourage all states to uphold their obligations and condemn incidences of discrimination because of religion or belief, regardless of the country or faith involved. We do engage with India on a range of issues, carrying the torch of freedom forward.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific steps taken to ensure human rights compliance in trade deals

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Q5 Nia Griffith Lab Llanelli
Climate Business & Trade
Context

Modi's emissions reduction commitments at COP26 and the Australia deal.

Question

What preparation is the Minister making to use a possible trade deal to support Modi's ambitions and act on recommendations from the CBI about how our trade policy can support climate goals?

Answer from Ranil Jayawardena

We want trade to be a force for good in the world, including green trade, which we believe can create thousands if not millions of jobs across Britain and indeed the world.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific preparations or commitments related to climate goals in trade deals

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