Free Trade Agreement with UK shows world’s growing trust in India: PM Modi

Chennai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the “historic” Free Trade Agreement signed with the UK represented the world’s growing trust in India, while contending that the demand for Indian goods in Britain will now increase since their price will get cheaper.

Addressing a public meeting after inaugurating the new terminal of the Thoothukudi airport, Modi said the agreement will not just add strength to the country’s economy but will accelerate the pace to become the world's third-largest economy.

Stressing on the NDA government’s ‘Made in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar’ initiatives, Modi said the entire world witnessed the strength of Make in India during Operation Sindoor with weapons made in the country playing a significant role in dismantling terror infrastructure across the border.

“Weapons made in India are still keeping the masters of terrorism awake at night… Even today, arms manufactured in India continue to shake the sleep of those who shelter terrorism,” Modi, who began his speech by paying tributes to martyrs of the Kargil war, said.

Touching on the India-UK Free Trade agreement, Modi said the agreement will give India enough confidence to build a 'Viksit Bharat.' "Once this FTA comes into force, 99 per cent of Indian products sold in Britain will be tax-free. When Indian goods are cheaper in Britain, their demand will increase," he added.

The new terminal will handle about 20 lakh passengers every year and will also allow airlines to operate flights to new cities from Thoothukudi, which is emerging as a key region for investments by various companies. During his speech, Modi also said the NDA government has disbursed about Rs 3 lakh crore to Tamil Nadu since 2014 which is three times higher than what the state during ten years of UPA rule from 2004 to 2014.