Following over three years of negotiations, India and the UK have signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), on July 24, 2025. This historic agreement looks to double bilateral trade to USD 120 billion by 2030. India will get 99% of its exports such as textiles, leather, and gems duty-free in the UK to enhance its competitive position and spur job creation in labour-intensive sectors. Along with mobility improvements for Indian professionals with 1,800 yearly UK visas and exemptions from social security provisions, this is a win for India and Indian jobs. The UK will see tariffs on 90% of its exports dropped, including whisky, cars, and lamb; projected annual increases in GDP and wages in the UK are to £4.8 billion and £2.2 billion respectively. The UK will have access to India’s £38 billion procurement market, stimulating UK innovation in healthcare and green energy. By implementing the FTA and supporting it with the “UK-India Vision 2035,” both nations are locking themselves in strategically, for better economic resilience, and to hold their ground on disruptions from global trade.
