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Brexit UK will be just as important to India, says Modi

Britain will be just as important to India after it leaves the EU as it is now, Indian prime minister Narendra Modi told his British counterpart Theresa May on Wednesday (18), May's spokeswoman said.

"Prime minister Modi said there would be no dilution in the importance of the UK to India post-Brexit," the spokeswoman said in a statement.


"He said the City of London was of great importance to India for accessing the global markets and would remain so."

Modi is in London for this week's Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). He told May in a bilateral meeting that Brexit offered opportunities to increase trade ties between Britain and India, the statement added.

Britain is due to leave the EU in March 2019 but has negotiated a conditional transition or implementation period to last until January 2021.

"May said the implementation period agreed in March gives Indian companies and investors the confidence that market access will continue on current terms until the end of 2020," the statement said.

"She reiterated that the UK will remain committed to global free trade and investment and that the UK will remain a leading hub for global finance," it added.

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Scotch whisky production slows as tariffs and weak demand bite

The first half of this year showed Scotch exports worth £2.5bn

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Scotch whisky production slows as tariffs and weak demand bite

Highlights

  • American tariffs adding 10 per cent to costs, with further 25 per cent charge on single malts expected next spring.
  • Barley demand slumped from up to 1 million tonnes to 600-700,000 tonnes expected next year.
  • Major distilleries including Glenmorangie and Teaninich have paused production for months.
Scotland's whisky industry is facing a sharp downturn in production as it adapts to challenging market conditions worldwide, with US tariffs and weakening global demand forcing major distilleries to halt operations.

Tariffs introduced under the Trump administration have added 10 per cent to importers' costs in the industry's biggest export market.

American tariffs on single malts, suspended four years ago, are expected to return next spring with a further 25 per cent charge unless a deal is reached.

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