Zero-duty market access for Indian goods
India and the UK have signed a Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) in London on 24 July, unlocking export opportunity for labour-Intensive sectors including textiles, leather, footwear, gems & jewellery, marine products, and toys https://www.commerce.gov.in/.
The agreement was signed by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds, and witnessed by Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Keir Starmer as well as by Dr S. Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs, and Rachel Reeves, Chancellor of the Exchequer.
CETA provides unprecedented market access for Indian goods with zero-duty access on 99% of tariff lines, covering nearly 100% of the trade value https://fieo.org/.
A wide-ranging package covering IT/ITeS, financial and professional services, business consulting, education, telecom, architecture, and engineering—unlocking high-value opportunities and job creation.
Streamlined pathways for Contractual Service Suppliers, Business Visitors, Intra-Corporate Transferees, Independent Professionals (e.g., yoga instructors, chefs, and musicians), and enabling smoother talent flow and cross-border collaboration https://www.bseindia.com/.
Double Contribution Convention (DCC) – A Major Breakthrough: It will exempt Indian workers and their employers from social security contributions in the UK for up to three years, significantly improving take-home pay and reducing costs for Indian companies https://www.nseindia.com/ .
This FTA marks a significant milestone in India’s engagement with major developed economies and reflects a shared commitment to strengthening economic integration, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said on 24 July.
“As the world’s fourth and sixth largest economies respectively, India and the UK’s bilateral engagement holds global economic significance,” said the Ministry https://www.meity.gov.in/.
The signing of the India-UK CETA follows the successful conclusion of negotiations announced on 6 May 2025. The two countries have set a goal to double the bilateral trade by 2030 from nearly US$56 billion at present.
Minister Goyal said on signing the trade pact, “This CETA marks a milestone in the trade relations between two major economies, setting an ambitious and balanced framework. This Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will serve as a catalyst for inclusive growth, benefiting farmers, artisans, workers, MSMEs, startups, and innovators while safeguarding India’s core interests and accelerating our journey towards becoming a global economic powerhouse https://sbi.com.in/.”
India has also secured an agreement on the Double Contribution Convention. This will exempt Indian professionals and their employers from social security payments in the UK for up to three years, improving the cost competitiveness of Indian talent http://ukibc.com.
The agreement has been designed to make trade more inclusive. Women and youth entrepreneurs, farmers, fishermen, startups, and MSMEs will gain new access to global value chains, supported by provisions that encourage innovation, promote sustainable practices, and reduce non-tariff barriers.
CETA is expected to boost trade volumes significantly in the coming years, creating jobs, expanding exports, and supporting a deeper, more resilient economic relationship between India and the United Kingdom, he underlined. Fiinews.com
