Starmer to ‘beat the drum’ for Scottish produce on India trade trip

Sir Keir Starmer will be “beating the drum for Scotland’s finest products” during a visit to India, Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander has said.

The Prime Minister is in India on Wednesday and Thursday, with the trip coming after the two countries agreed an “historic” trade deal.

That deal will cut import tariffs on Scotch whisky from 150% to 75% immediately, with these charges then to fall further to 40% within 10 years.

That could boost sales of Scotch in India, with a possible increase of £1 billion a year – a move which could create more 1,000 jobs in Scotland’s whisky sector, meaning a potential increase in sales to India of £1 billion a year, creating more than 1,000 new jobs.

Whisky producers and leading figures from industry body, the Scotch Whisky Association, are to join the PM on the trade mission.

But the deal already agreed by the Indian and UK governments could also benefit other well known Scottish products, such as shortbread and the soft drink Irn-Bru.

Mr Alexander, who is also part of the trade mission, will use the visit to meet with senior figures in the Indian government, with the Scottish Secretary hoping to deepen trade and diplomatic relations between Scotland and India.

Speaking ahead of the trip, he said the “historic” trade deal between the two governments was “great news for Scotland and especially our whisky industry”.

But he added: “Having secured the deal, our challenge and responsibility now is to put this deal into action. That requires implementation of the deal by the governments of India and the UK, and the utilisation of the deal by British and Indian businesses.

“Leading this trade mission, the Prime Minister will be beating the drum for Scotland’s finest products. With the strength and support of the UK Government they can be world-reaching in terms of export markets.”

Mr Alexander said he had already worked closely with the Scotch Whisky Association in his previous role as a UK Government trade minister.

He said: “I understand the challenges they face and that this deal with India could be transformative for the industry over the long term.

“On this trade mission we will be looking to take full advantage of the opportunities this crucial trade deal brings for Scotland.”

Meanwhile, Scotch Whisky Association chief executive Mark Kent said: “We’re delighted to join this visit following the efforts of the UK Government to secure the UK-India Free Trade Agreement, and look forward to its swift and smooth implementation.

“Delivering liberalised tariffs on all our exports to India will open up access to the world’s largest whisky market in the years to come and give greater choice to Indian consumers.”