India is not in a “rush” to conclude a trade deal with the UK after Brexit, the country’s chief ambassador to the UK has said.

Yashvardhan Sinha, India’s high commissioner to Britain, said that such a deal was “not going to be done overnight”.

The ambassador also hinted that an agreement – which Brexiteers are keen on to plug the gap in Britain’s trade that will probably be created due to new frictions with the European Union – would require the UK to make it easier for Indians to come to Britain.

“I don’t think India is in a rush. I think India would like certainly, and I’m sure the UK would too … to get the best deal possible,” he told the Politico Europe website.

“I think for us it is very important that if we need to step up our engagement, we need to have that easier access, the ease of travel has to be looked into.”

India has been in talks with the EU since 2007 on a free trade agreement, and the bloc is already the country’s number one trading partner.

The high representative’s comments come days after a leading Japanese diplomat told The Independent that his country’s “first and foremost priority” was signing a deal with the EU over Japan.

Shinichi Iida, the country’s minister for public diplomacy, said: “A lot of Japanese companies, to be very frank, are concerned with the prospect of the Brexit.”

The EU is pushing for free trade deals with other Commonwealth countries Australia and New Zealand, and has a head start on Britain, with preliminary discussions already open.

European Union chief negotiator Michel Barnier has said Theresa May’s plan to leave the single market and customs union will mean inevitable “frictions” in trade between the EU and the UK.

Brexit so far: in pictures Show all 53 1 /53 Brexit so far: in pictures Brexit so far: in pictures Brexit campaign Boris Johnson led the VoteLeave campaign PA Brexit so far: in pictures Brexit campaign Boris Johnson MP, Labour MP Gisela Stuart and UKIP MP Douglas Carswell address the people of Stafford in Market Square during the Vote Leave Brexit Battle Bus tour on 17 May 2016. Their lead line on the tour was: “We send the EU £350 million a week, let's fund our NHS instead.” Getty Brexit so far: in pictures Voting day A man shelters from the rain as he arrives at a polling station in London on 23 June 2016. Millions of Britons voted in the referendum on whether to stay in or leave the European Union AFP/Getty Brexit so far: in pictures Referendum results Leader of Ukip, Nigel Farage, reacts at the Leave EU referendum party at Millbank Tower in central London as results indicated that it was likely the UK would leave the European Union AFP/Getty Brexit so far: in pictures Protesting the result A young couple painted as EU flags and a man with a sign reading “I’m not leaving” protest outside Downing Street against the voters decision to leave the EU on 24 June 2016 Getty Brexit so far: in pictures David Cameron resigns British Prime Minister David Cameron resigns on the steps of 10 Downing Street on 24 June 2016 after the results of the EU referendum were declared and the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union Getty Brexit so far: in pictures Theresa May Becomes the new Conservative Party leader Theresa May receives a kiss from her husband Philip, after becoming the new Conservative Party leader on 11 July 2016. 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The prime minister did not appear in parliament to see another defeat PA Brexit so far: in pictures Labour and Conservative MPs resign and create the Independent Group Back row of Chris Leslie, Gavin Shuker, Chuka Umunna and Mike Gapes, middle row of Angela Smith, Luciana Berger and Ann Coffey and front row of Sarah Wollaston, Heidi Allen, Anna Soubry and Joan Ryan PA Brexit so far: in pictures Non-biding votes on amendments to Brexit motion On February 27 he house held a series of votes, unanimously calling for the UK and EU to guarantee citizens rights in a no-deal scenario AFP/Getty Brexit so far: in pictures Attorney General publishes legal advice A hammer blow for May as Geoffrey Cox said her renegotiated deal can still leave UK in backstop against its will. Mr Cox did say the prime minister’s efforts had reduced the risk of the UK being trapped in the backstop indefinitely. MPs went on to vote against her deal by 391 to 242 UK Parliament/PA Brexit so far: in pictures No-deal off the table MPs rejected a no-deal Brexit by 43 votes on March 13, with cabinet ministers rebelling in another humiliating defeat for Theresa May. A day later they voted in favour of the prime minister seeking an extension to Article 50 AFP/Getty Brexit so far: in pictures House speaker bans May from third Commons vote on same Brexit deal John Bercow sensationally told Theresa May he would stop her making another attempt to pass her Brexit deal unless she has secured changes. 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If MPs rejected it for a third time, the EU said Britain must propose a new plan by April 12. Ms May said she will not support a long delay because it would mean Britain participating in elections for the European Parliament Getty Brexit so far: in pictures Brussels confirms preparations for a no-deal Brexit are completed They warned that it is “increasingly likely” the UK will crash out. In a statement the European Commission (EC) said “preparedness and contingency work”, which the EC has been conducting since December 2017, was now finished. The announcement came days after EU leaders agreed to a request by Theresa May to extend the UK’s Brexit date AFP Brexit so far: in pictures May resigns British Prime Minister Theresa May reacts as she delivers a statement in London, Britain, May 24, 2019. REUTERS/Simon Dawson SIMON DAWSON Reuters

Brexiteers however argue that “global Britain” will be able to benefit from being able to sign new trade agreements with other countries that the EU cannot land.

US president Donald Trump has expressed enthusiasm for a “great” trade deal with Britain after it leaves the EU.