‘Most ambitious and aspirational FTAs’: India-U.K. trade deal set to come into force on July 15
The India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) is set to take effect on July 15, marking a significant milestone in bilateral trade relations. The deal involves deep tariff reductions across a wide range of sectors, aiming to boost economic collaboration between the two nations.
Why it matters
This trade agreement is expected to have a substantial impact on market access, financial services, and agricultural exports for both India and the UK.
The India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and Double Contribution Convention (DCC) that are set to come into force on July 15 are a “gold standard” and one of the “most ambitious and aspirational free trade agreements” signed by India, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said on Tuesday (July 14, 2026).
He added that the deals benefit India’s farmers, fisherfolk, workers and women entrepreneurs. The India-UK CETA and the DCC were signed in July last year.
“This is one of the first free trade agreements (FTAs) of its kind, which establishes a future-oriented economic architecture between two major economies of the world,” Mr. Agrawal said at a press briefing. “This is also one of the most ambitious and aspirational FTAs of India, which we are operationalising as till date.”
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