The India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will officially come into force on July 15, marking a major milestone in economic relations between the two countries.
Announcing the development on X, Lindy Cameron said, “The countdown begins! The UK and India have agreed that the Free Trade Agreement will come into effect on 15 July.”
Describing the agreement as a landmark achievement, Cameron added that it represents “an historic moment for the modern UK-India partnership, unlocking a new era of growth for both our economies.”
The announcement clears the way for the implementation of the trade pact signed by India and the United Kingdom in July 2025 after nearly three years of negotiations.
Officially known as the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), the deal is expected to significantly deepen trade and investment ties between the world’s fifth and sixth largest economies.
The agreement is projected to increase bilateral trade by an estimated £25.5 billion annually and expand market access for businesses in both countries.
A key feature of the pact is the reduction or elimination of tariffs across a wide range of products.
Indian exporters are expected to benefit from improved access in sectors such as textiles, leather products, footwear, engineering goods, and sports equipment, while British exporters are expected to gain from lower duties on products including whisky and automobiles.
According to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the United Kingdom will provide duty-free access on 99.1 percent of tariff lines, covering virtually the entire value of India’s exports to the UK.
The ministry has also stated that approximately 90.2 percent of India’s exports to the UK will become duty-free under the agreement.
The FTA is expected to improve the competitiveness of Indian products in the British market while creating new opportunities for exporters and manufacturers on both sides.
Officials from both countries have previously said the agreement could generate thousands of jobs across multiple industries, particularly in labour-intensive sectors.
The broader objective of the trade pact is to expand market access, lower trade barriers, encourage investment flows, and support the goal of doubling bilateral trade by 2030.
With the implementation date now confirmed, businesses in India and the UK are preparing for the rollout of tariff reductions and other trade facilitation measures that will take effect from July 15.
