Trade Negotiations

Debate between Baroness Gustafsson and Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick

Tuesday 13th May 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Gustafsson (Lab)]

On the environmental aspect, this is India’s first ever chapter on the environment within a free trade agreement and it goes further into this area than it has ever gone before. The agreement requires India to promote high and continually improving levels of environmental protection, reaffirms our joint commitment to the Paris agreement and strengthens environmental standards through non-derogation commitments. It is a big first step, but a free trade agreement cannot fix all environmental issues. Those are most effectively tackled when we work directly and closely with our partners through this international approach. Having a deal like this solidifies our relationship and provides much broader access and opportunity to exert that influence.

[Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Lab)]

My Lords, I thank my noble friend the Minister for the Statement. I welcome this trade deal, and I, for one, welcome the Belfast/Good Friday agreement and the Windsor framework. I believe that we should avail ourselves of every opportunity to access trade opportunities wherever they may arise, whether in India, the EU or North America, notwithstanding certain, shall we say, threats that may be made. In light of a previous question, what discussions will be held with the Northern Ireland Executive about potential opportunities for trade between Northern Ireland and India to avail of every opportunity and our ability to access the UK internal market and the EU in terms of goods?

[Baroness Gustafsson (Lab)]

I thank my noble friend for that question. This free trade agreement presents a selection of opportunities for trade between India and Northern Ireland, but it is not the only one. We will be working closely with the devolved Governments to think about those opportunities and build on them collaboratively. In my particular area, investment, we are working closely with those Governments to understand what those trade and investment opportunities are and how we, as that central Government, amplify some of them. When I travel the world, I talk to investors and share opportunities not just within a mile’s radius of where we stand today but across the UK, so that benefit can be felt throughout.