UK Parliamentary Committees Meets Indian Counterpart Headed by Dola Sen
of TMC
1.
The Department-Related Parliamentary Standing
Committee on Commerce met an eight-member delegation from the UK Parliament’s
Business and Trade Committee in New Delhi on 18 March 2026.
2.
The Indian committee is chaired by Dola Sen, while
the UK delegation was led by Liam Byrne.
3.
The interaction highlighted the growing economic
partnership between India and United Kingdom, built on shared democratic values
and long-standing institutional ties.
4.
The committee welcomed the signing of the India–UK
Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and expressed confidence
that it could significantly boost bilateral trade.
5.
It was noted that the UK is India’s 6th largest
investor, while India continues to invest actively in the UK, creating
thousands of jobs.
6.
The Indian side emphasised the need for a level
playing field for importers and exporters, especially in view of tariff
challenges faced by Indian businesses.
7.
The meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming
their commitment to continued dialogue, cooperation and stronger trade
relations.
The
Department-Related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Commerce interacted with
an eight-member delegation from the United Kingdom Parliament’s Business and Trade
Committee headed by Rt Hon Liam Byrne on 18th March, 2026 in the Parliament House
Complex, New Delhi.
During
the interaction, the Committee highlighted that India and the United Kingdom share
a unique modern relationship, emerging from historical linkages and institutional
frameworks, underpinned by shared ideals of democracy and rule of law.
The
Committee also noted the signing of the historic India–UK Comprehensive Economic
and Trade Agreement (CETA) during the Prime Minister’s visit to the United Kingdom.
It expressed confidence that the Agreement will significantly enhance bilateral
trade, potentially doubling the existing trade volume, and act as a strong catalyst
in further deepening economic cooperation between the two nations.
The
Committee also underlined that India is the UK’s 11th largest trading partner, while
the UK is India’s 14th largest trading partner. It further noted that the United
Kingdom is the 6th largest investor in India. Additionally, India invests in 106
projects and creates 6,067 new jobs in the UK during 2024–25, thereby retaining
its position as the second-largest source of FDI after the United States.
The
meeting reflects commitment of both India and United Kingdom to strengthen dialogue,
knowledge sharing and exchange of views and insights on issues of mutual interest
in the field of trade and commerce.
Ms.
Dola Sen, Chairperson of DRPSC Committee on Commerce emphasised the need of Level
Playing Field for Importers and Exporters because the tariff rates are not in favour
of Indian Business Traders at times. Further, India is an agrarian country and require
traditional, labour-intensive, eco friendly, environment
friendly and agro-based industries for the domestic/ export
market.
The
Chairperson also underscored that owing to huge population of 150 crores, India
is a big market for UK exporters. India is also a favoured destination for setting up Industries
due to availability of
labour, land and other infrastructure facilities. However the Committee is of the view that there should be implementation
of Law of the Land as per our constitution and strict compliance with applicable
labour and statutory regulations.
Speaking
on the occasion, Mr. Liam Byrne, Chair of the UK Parliament’s Business and Trade
Committee, stated that it was a privilege for the House of Commons delegation to
visit “this great Parliament”. Further, he noted that India and the United Kingdom
have signed one of the most important free trade agreements in recent history and
expressed a shared determination to ensure that the treaty delivers for the people
and that it is the people who prosper.
The
interaction concluded on a positive note, with both sides reiterating their commitment
to sustained engagement and constructive collaboration in advancing shared economic
objectives.