Addressing a recent meeting of the Indian aviation community, UK Aviation Minister Lord Ahmad called for even greater trade links between the two countries.
He highlighted that Prime Ministers May and Modi had already committed to building the closest possible commercial and economic relationship, while Secretary of State for International Trade, Liam Fox, has agreed to set up a joint working group with the Indian Minister for Trade, Nirmala Sitharaman.
During Lord Ahmad’s visit to India, a deal was signed to ease restrictions on the number of scheduled flights between the two countries.
Limits on flights from key Indian cities including Chennai and Kolkata have been scrapped allowing, the Aviation Minister explained, for a greater range of flights for passengers while providing a boost to trade and tourism for both countries.
With about 2.5 million passengers flying direct between the UK and India each year, and 88 scheduled services per week in each direction between the two countries, the new agreement should open up even more routes and opportunities.
“Building new links with important trading partners is a key part of the Government’s plans for a Global Britain,” Lord Ahmad said, “opening up new export markets and creating jobs and economic growth. India is one of our closest allies and key trading partners and this new agreement will only serve to strengthen this crucial relationship.”
