Rishi Sunak and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed recent progress on an historic post-Brexit trade deal.
The Prime Minister spoke with Mr Modi on Tuesday afternoon, with the pair stressing they want to secure a “comprehensive” deal as soon as possible.
The Daily Express last week revealed London is inching closer to striking a “really huge” deal with New Delhi.
A Downing Street spokesperson said: “The Prime Minister spoke to the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, this afternoon.
“The leaders welcomed the thriving partnership between the UK and India and discussed recent progress on Free Trade Agreement negotiations.
“They agreed on the importance of securing a historic and comprehensive deal that benefits both countries. The Prime Minister reiterated the importance of reaching an ambitious outcome on goods and services.
“They agreed to remain in close contact and looked forward to further progress on trade talks.”
Kemi Badenoch this week said getting the deal over the line is proving “challenging” but that she only wants one that’s right for Britain.
It is understood that the 14th round of talks have now ended with negotiators returning from Delhi.
More are planned so that further “progress” can be made.
The mega tie-up could dramatically boost trade between the UK and India which is currently worth £36 billion.
Talks “haven’t broken down” and UK government officials will “continue negotiating”, according to Whitehall sources.
“Progress has been made”, they said, indicating the deal “must be right for the UK”.
“The price on offer is really huge,” they said.
India is due to go to the polls in either April or May once a date has been set next week.
Both Rishi Sunak and Indian President Narendra Modi, who is seeking a third term in office, are said to be “keen” to get the deal wrapped up as soon as possible.
Speaking on Thursday the Business and Trade Secretary said she didn’t want to use the Indian election as a deadline for talks.
“We can actually sign an agreement before the Indian election, Ms Badenoch said at an event at Chatham House in London.
“I suspect that that is not necessarily going to be the case because I don’t want to use any election as a deadline,”
“It is possible that we can sign, but I’m not using it as a deadline.”
India, which is set to become the world’s third largest economy, would be the biggest country yet to strike a free trade agreement (FTA) with the UK since it left the EU’s trading system in 2021.
Britain hopes the FTA will open up trade in whisky and cars to India as well as services and investment opportunities, while New Delhi wants better access for manufactured goods, services and work visas.
