India and the UK have begun crunch-time talks to safe a landmark free-trade deal, as leaders on each side search to resolve excellent points earlier than they face election battles subsequent 12 months.

A UK staff — together with Amanda Brooks, director common for commerce negotiations, and Douglas McNeill, chief financial adviser to the prime minister — is in New Delhi this week for additional talks, in line with folks accustomed to the matter, who requested to not be recognized as a result of the discussions are personal. It’s the thirteenth spherical of negotiations on a deal meant to broaden a buying and selling relationship that was value greater than $24 billion final 12 months.