British deputy PM meets India’s Modi in trade trip

Britain's deputy premier Nick Clegg held talks on Monday with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi in the latest effort to strengthen economic ties with the world's largest democracy. Clegg, who heads a 40-strong business delegation, also met with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in the capital during the three-day visit to drum up trade with India. Clegg said he discussed ‘economic and commercial pacts’ during talks with Modi, along with a landmark global trade deal that India scuttled at the 11th hour last month. ‘A lot of attention to economic and commercial pacts, raising both individual company specific issues and discussion of the WTO trade facilitation agreement,’ Clegg told a business conference of his meetings with the Indian leaders. India was criticised last month for refusing to ratify a long-sought trade deal at the WTO to streamline customs procedures and boost global commerce. ‘(I also tried to get a) clearer understanding from Jaitley and PM Modi about exactly what are the key reforms they are seeking to undertake,’ Clegg added, according to AFP.