FTA with UK comes into effect today, exports to get a boost

The India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement begins implementation on July 15, 2026, granting duty-free access to most Indian products in the UK, except 117 items.

Indian exports in textiles, food products, leather, footwear, engineering goods, and pharma are major gainers from the zero-tariff regime.

India will remove or reduce duties on 89.5% of 12,000 products from the UK, with over 64% getting immediate duty-free entry.

Digital delivery of services is fully opened, boosting global capability centres in India.

The Double Contribution Convention will save Indian workers and employers an estimated $600 million annually by exempting them from UK social security contributions for up to five years.