Organisations representing Indian and UK civil society have released a public statement appealing to the Governments of both countries to halt negotiations. The statement coincides with the end of the fifth round of negotiations of the UK-India trade deal.
Joint statement:
We, as organisations representing Indian and UK civil society, call on the Indian and UK Governments to rethink the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) currently being negotiated.
We recognise that trade has the potential to bring benefits to both countries. However an FTA between the two countries, as outlined in the UK Government’s Strategic Approach report and in the limited statements made by both Governments, will fail to serve the interests of large numbers of ordinary people in India and the UK or to align with Sustainable Development Goals.
This approach to our countries’ trading relationship prioritises increased trade at any cost, and compromises the ability of governments to design policy that supports the protection of the environment and tackling climate change, and promotes local businesses, secure livelihoods and access to public services and medicines. We are particularly concerned these negative impacts will be disproportionately borne by women and other already marginalised groups.
The UK Government has an explicit goal of signing as many FTAs as possible, without a published strategy outlining how it will ensure these align with its commitments under the Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris Climate Agreement and other international agreements. As a result, its current approach to trade fails to properly align with fundamental human and labour rights, and our countries’ shared commitment to addressing the climate crisis.
The ongoing FTA negotiations are being conducted in a non-transparent, anti-democratic way. The Indian and UK Governments have offered civil society and trade unions limited opportunity to input into negotiations. Parliamentary input into and scrutiny of final deals will likewise be insufficient. There is no parliamentary ratification process in India, and in the UK parliamentarians are denied a guaranteed and meaningful vote on FTAs.
We appeal to the Governments of both countries to halt negotiations, ensure these urgent concerns are addressed and craft a trade relationship fit for 21st century challenges.
Ruth Bergan, Director of the Trade Justice Movement said:
“Despite huge outcry, the UK-Australia trade deal has completed its scrutiny stage without a parliamentary vote or even a debate. We are concerned they will pursue the same approach for the UK-India deal.
“It is essential that civil society, trade unions have equal opportunity to businesses to input into the UK-India trade negotiations. The current approach utterly fails people in India and the UK and could have long lasting negative effects on the environment, livelihoods and accesss to public services and medicines.”
Charlotte Timson, CEO of Traidcraft Exchange said:
"Civil society groups, parliamentarians, and the general public are being kept in the dark about what’s in this trade deal. From what we do know, the UK Government’s plans will worsen the climate crisis – not address it – and put Indian livelihoods and public services at risk. Despite claiming to lead the way on tackling global poverty and climate change, this Government is undermining both in its determination to sign as many post-Brexit deals as possible, with next to no scrutiny."
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Image by motionstock from Pixabay
