(MENAFN- Live Mint) Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Rishi Sunak shared his perspective on India's handling of the Trump tariff situation, which had sent shockwaves across the country's industries. Speaking at the NDTV World Summit 2025 on Friday, 17 October 2025, Sunak highlighted how India found a“common ground” in the face of global trade challenges.

He also discussed the significance of the recently concluded India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), emphasising its potential to boost bilateral trade relations between the two countries, PTI reported.

The relations between New Delhi and Washington have come under severe strain after US President Donald Trump doubled tariffs on Indian goods to a whopping 50%, including a 25% additional duty for India's purchase of Russian crude oil.

India's national interest in a protectionist world

When asked if India tackled the US tariff issue the right way, the former UK Prime Minister fully backed the nation's strategy, stating,“Every country is going to work in its own national interests, and that is entirely right.”

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Sunak acknowledged the current global trade environment, noting that the“world is becoming more protectionist.” In this context, he viewed India's move to sign a major trade deal with the UK as an incredible positive sign of willingness to sit down with countries, find common ground, and create mutually beneficial agreements, while sending important signals globally.

He noted that India is likely to seek other opportunities, being“in talks with the EU” just as the UK is also pursuing other deals. He further stressed the importance of deep and trust-based international relationships.“If relationships are purely transactional, you get less out of them,” Sunak said.

“Everyone just thinks about immediate gains, and different countries react in different ways,” he said during the summit.

Significance of India-UK Free Trade Agreement

Rishi Sunak expressed his satisfaction with the India-UK FTA, a deal he initiated, saying,“It's great to see the trade deal being signed, something I started work on, and I'm really pleased that the new government concluded it.”

He also highlighted the success of the recent high-level delegation visits, noting“Modi coming to the UK, and the UK Prime Minister visiting India with a big business delegation.”

Also Read | UK PM Keir Starmer thanks PM Modi for ambitious India-UK trade deal

Sunak explained that trade, beyond the deal, signifies two important things in a world becoming more protectionist.“Signing a deep trade deal sends a positive signal globally, as well as telling businesses, civil society, cultural organisations, and academic institutions that the relationship matters...”

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