Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what recent discussions she has had with (a) her Indian counterpart and (b) representatives of Indian businesses on strengthening business, trade and investment relationships with (i) the British Overseas Territories and (ii) Gibraltar.

In all trade deals, HM Government is seeking trade outcomes that support British Overseas Territories' economic interests, and which reflect their unique characteristics.

My Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade and I have regular discussions with our respective counterparts. Most recently, the Minister for Commerce and Industry of India, Shri Piyush Goyal, and my Rt Hon Friend met on Saturday, 6^th February 2021, at New Delhi, to discuss the Anglo-Indian trade and investment relationship. Discussions were held on the entire range of bilateral trade and economic relations.

Following significant work over the last year, we have committed to launching an Enhanced Trade Partnership with India, through which both sides will continue to work to bring down trade barriers, open up opportunities for trade and investment, and chart the route towards a potential Free Trade Agreement.