UK firms can offer telecom, construction services in India without local office under FTA

The UK and India’s Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), signed on July 24, will allow UK companies to offer services like telecom and construction in India without needing a local presence. British firms will receive the same treatment as Indian companies. India’s services exports to the UK are USD 19.8 billion, while imports are […]

India is advised to exercise caution in its trade negotiations with the US, learning from the experiences of Vietnam and Japan. GTRI emphasizes the importance of a jointly issued written statement to avoid misinterpretations of the final agreement terms. A recent discrepancy between President Trump’s claims and Japan’s official summary of a trade deal highlights […]

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal hailed the UK trade agreement as a “gold standard” for future pacts, emphasising India’s protection of sensitive sectors like dairy and agriculture. Negotiations with the US are progressing rapidly, with India prioritising labor-intensive exports and safeguarding its interests. Goyal contrasted this approach with previous agreements, highlighting the focus on […]

Prime Minister Modi hailed the India-UK FTA as a historic pact, showcasing global trust in India and boosting the vision of a developed nation. He inaugurated and laid foundation stones for projects worth Rs 4,900 crore in Tamil Nadu, emphasizing the NDA government’s commitment to the state’s growth through infrastructure and energy development.

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal affirmed India’s commitment to preventing the “evergreening” of patents, despite having robust intellectual property rights chapters in free trade agreements with the UK and EFTA. Certain multinational firms have requested India to amend these laws, which were strongly opposed.

Piyush Goyal stated that India will respond if the UK’s future carbon tax harms Indian exports. The UK plans to implement its Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism in 2027. Goyal assured that any unilateral measure hurting India will face a proportionate response. India raised the issue during trade agreement negotiations.

An Indian firm, Ideal Detonators, defended its $1.4 million shipment of HMX to Russia, stating it complied with Indian regulations and was intended for civilian industrial use. This occurred despite U.S. warnings about sanctions for supporting Russia’s war efforts. The U.S. government considers HMX critical for Russia’s military, though it has limited civilian applications.

India and the UK have formalized a trade agreement, offering immediate duty-free access to a quarter of UK exports while safeguarding sensitive sectors like dairy and strategic industries. Concessions for other products will be phased in over several years, with specific rules of origin to prevent transshipment.

The India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) is expected to boost exports from major Indian states by eliminating tariffs and improving market access. Key sectors like textiles, pharmaceuticals, Engineering goods stand to benefit, enhancing trade prospects and driving economic gains across diverse regional economies.