Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Wednesday hailed the coming into force of the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the accompanying Agreement on Social Security, describing it as a defining milestone in India-UK relations that will significantly boost trade, investment and employment opportunities.
In a post on X, Goyal said, “Today marks a defining milestone in India-UK ties. Under the dynamic leadership of Hon’ble PM Narendra Modi ji, the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the Agreement on Social Security have come into force, delivering zero-duty market access for nearly 99% of India’s exports, covering almost 100% of trade value.”
Goyal said the agreement would create unprecedented opportunities across a wide range of sectors, including textiles, leather, gems and jewellery, engineering goods, marine products, chemicals, processed foods, manufacturing, MSMEs and agriculture.
He added that the pact would also open new avenues for India’s information technology, professional, financial, education and business services sectors, while expanding mobility opportunities for Indian professionals.
Highlighting the significance of the Agreement on Social Security, Goyal said it would exempt Indian professionals on temporary assignments in the UK from making double social security contributions for up to five years, thereby improving the global competitiveness of India’s skilled workforce.
The minister thanked his UK counterpart Peter Kyle and the negotiating teams of both countries for their efforts in finalising the agreement.
“I thank my friend and counterpart Peter Kyle, and both negotiating teams, for their commitment in bringing this transformational agreement to fruition. Together, we remain committed to building a resilient, innovation-driven partnership that will drive growth, investment and shared prosperity for generations to come,” he said.
In a separate post, Goyal said the implementation of the India-UK FTA would open new avenues for trade, investment and innovation while advancing PM Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
The minister added that the agreement reflects the capabilities and aspirations of the Indian people and is designed to benefit every section of society, and women, farmers, youth, MSMEs, innovators, professionals and fisherfolk stand to gain from the new opportunities created by the pact, making it one of the most comprehensive economic partnerships for India’s future growth.
The India-UK CETA is a landmark free trade pact aimed at deepening economic ties between India and the United Kingdom by enhancing market access, boosting investment, and strengthening cooperation across goods, services, technology and innovation. The foundation for the agreement was laid through the India–UK Enhanced Trade Partnership and the Roadmap 2030, launched in May 2021, which set an ambitious target of doubling bilateral trade to USD 100 billion by 2030. Following 14 rounds of negotiations, the agreement was concluded on May 6, 2025, and formally signed in London on July 24, 2025, by Piyush Goyal and UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds in the presence of PM Modi and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
Comprising 30 chapters, CETA covers trade in goods and services, digital trade, telecommunications, financial services, intellectual property, government procurement, innovation, MSMEs, sustainability and transparency. The agreement provides duty-free access for nearly 99 per cent of India’s exports to the UK by tariff lines, covering almost the entire trade value, while safeguarding sensitive sectors such as dairy, cereals, edible oils and certain agricultural products. It is accompanied by the Double Contribution Convention (DCC), which exempts Indian professionals on temporary assignments in the UK from dual social security contributions for up to five years, enhancing the global competitiveness and mobility of India’s skilled workforce.
