India-UK Free Trade Pact Expected by April: Boost for Bilateral Trade

• The India-UK free trade agreement, signed in July last year, is likely to be implemented in April 2026, according to a government official.
• The pact aims to significantly improve market access, boosting bilateral trade by around $34 billion annually and doubling it to $100 billion by 2030.
• Under the agreement, 99% of Indian exports will enter the British market at zero duty, while India will reduce tariffs on British products like cars and Scotch whisky.
• The deal includes commitments on services, investment facilitation, labour mobility, and public procurement, with agriculture and sensitive financial services excluded for now.
• Indian businesses, particularly SMEs, textiles, gems and jewellery, leather, handicrafts, and engineering goods, are expected to gain a significant competitive edge through tariff removal and streamlined regulatory standards.