India needs to open up further for FTA to go through, says UK official

With less than a month before the dates for the general elections are expected to be announced and the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) kicks in, the UK is still pushing for a greater opening up of the India economy under the free trade agreement (FTA) being negotiated. The signing of the deal is unlikely before the elections as MCC is seen as a cut off for the announcement of the deal. Further delay could add to the complications for the FTA as the UK is also headed into elections later this year. However, negotiations to iron out the remaining…