India and the UK have concluded negotiations on a historic Free Trade Agreement (FTA) after three years of talks. It will be officially signed during British PM Keir Starmer’s upcoming visit to India. The FTA removes tariffs on 99% of Indian exports to the UK and offers benefits across sectors such as manufacturing, automobiles, services, and alcohol, while also facilitating mobility for Indian professionals.

BulletsIn

• 99% of Indian exports to UK to enter duty-free under new FTA
• Major export gains in textiles, leather, seafood, jewellery, chemicals, machinery
• Indian professionals—chefs, artists, IT workers—get easier UK access, no visa rule change
• UK cars like Jaguar, Land Rover to get 10% duty (down from 100%+), under quotas
• Scotch whisky duties cut from 150% to 40% over time—cheaper for Indian consumers
• Double Contributions deal to prevent dual social security payments for professionals
• Trade pact includes services like IT, finance, education—boost to Indian firms
• Adds non-trade elements like gender rights, innovation, and SME support
• CII calls it “transformative”, aims to boost bilateral trade to $100 billion by 2030
• UK estimates long-term trade benefit of £25.5 billion annually from deal