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Informist, Wednesday, Jun. 24, 2026

 

NEW DELHI – Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal will visit the UK starting Thursday ahead of the implementation of the free trade agreement between the two countries. During his visit, Goyal will meet the UK's Secretary of State for Business and Trade Peter Kyle, marking an important step in the operationalisation of the agreements and the strengthening of the economic partnership between the two countries, the commerce ministry said in a release on Wednesday. 

 

The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement will come into force on Jul. 15, nearly a year after it was signed. The implementation of the agreement was delayed because of the UK's curbs on steel imports. Under the deal, the UK has committed to tariff concessions on 99% of India's exports to the UK. New Delhi has also offered duty cuts on 90% tariff lines.

 

The ministers will review preparedness for implementing the trade deal's tariff liberalisation commitments, which will provide enhanced market access for Indian exports in the UK, the ministry said. They will also discuss the operational roadmap for the Double Contribution Convention, which is expected to establish a streamlined mechanism to address dual social security contribution requirements for eligible temporary workers, thereby supporting greater mobility of professionals and businesses. 

According to the release, the two sides will further discuss the operationalisation of mutual market-access commitments across key service sectors and review measures to strengthen bilateral trade and investment ties. "The engagement reflects India's continued efforts under the Viksit Bharat vision to expand global economic opportunities while safeguarding domestic economic interests and promoting a transparent, rules-based framework for bilateral commerce," the ministry said. 

 

During the visit, Goyal will participate in a series of government-to-business engagements with industry leaders, investors and corporate representatives to further strengthen commercial partnerships between India and the UK. He will address the opening plenary session of the India Global Forum, which focuses on emerging opportunities for global businesses in the context of the forthcoming implementation of the India-UK trade agreement.

 

"The visit underscores India's commitment to engaging with global businesses and investors and is expected to contribute to the shared objective of expanding India-UK economic cooperation and advancing the target of achieving $120 billion in bilateral trade by 2030," according to the ministry. In 2025-26 (Apr-Mar), India and the UK's total trade was to the tune of $25.13 billion, up 9% on year. India exported goods worth $13.44 billion and imported goods worth $11.68 billion. End

 

US$1 = INR 94.67

 

Reported by Priyasmita Dutta

Edited by Saji George Titus

 

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