New Delhi, July 15 -- In a clear signal that domestic environmental regulations will be handled independently of bilateral trade commitments, the United Kingdom has firmly insulated its free trade talks with India from controversial green levies.

Speaking with ANI, the UK's Trade Commissioner for South Asia and former chief negotiator for the UK-India FTA, Harjinder Kang, addressed the persistent concerns over whether the upcoming UK Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) will hurt Indian industrial competitiveness and escalate costs for domestic steel exporters. He clarified that the policy has been kept completely off the negotiating table.

"We made it clear from day one that CBAM was never part of the FTA. It was not discussed as ...