The newly signed India-UK Free Trade Agreement marks a major milestone after three years of negotiation. Formalised during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s UK visit, the deal is expected to boost bilateral trade by $34 billion annually. Signed by Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and UK Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, the agreement promises benefits on both sides.
For India, it opens up vast opportunities in employment, skill development, and entrepreneurship. Indian professionals in IT, finance, architecture, and engineering can now work in the UK for up to two years without an office presence. Tariffs on British products such as whisky, chocolates, cars, salmon, and soft drinks will see sharp reductions, making them more accessible.
For the UK, the deal secures tariff reductions on 90% of Indian goods, public procurement access worth ₹4.09 lakh crore, and an expected wage boost of £2.2 billion. It also creates over 2,200 jobs and promises cheaper imports for British consumers.
