Success in my Habit

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

India, UK bilateral talks to focus on financial sector ties

New Delhi: The fifth ministerial level India-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue will be held in the Capital on Monday.

The Finance Minister, Mr Pranab Muherjee, will co-chair the talks with the UK’s Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr George Osborne.

Mr Mukherjee and Mr Osborne will also hold a bilateral meeting to share views on macro-economic policies and issues of mutual commercial concern, among others.

This year’s Dialogue is likely to focus on strengthening the UK-India financial sector partnership, boosting infrastructure ties besides issues of structural reforms, education and skill building.

The British Government has been urging India to allow enhanced presence for foreign banks.

Many Indian banks have also in the recent years established presence in the UK. A case may be made for further strengthening the ties on this front.

Indications are also that the issue of retrospective amendments in tax laws would figure in the Dialogue. Both India and the UK have in recent years resorted to retrospective amendments in their tax laws. This has irked industry from both the sides.

The issue of rallying round the American nominee for the post of the World Bank President may also figure in the bilateral talks.

The previous ministerial level meeting of the EFD was held in London in July last year.

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