India-uk Ties

India-UK ties expected to stay the course with Andy Burnham as new PM

Strategic experts forecast that the strength of the India-UK partnership will stay the course under incoming British prime minister Andy Burnham, who clinched the Labour Party leadership in the same week as the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) entered into force. Burnham, 56, was elected unopposed on Friday and will take over from Keir Starmer at Downing Street on Monday after the formal choreography of the handover of power is completed. While much is expected to change, given the former mayor of Greater Manchester's pledge to do things differently, the one major constant in terms of foreign policy is expected on the India front. "Over this past year, we have valued close engagement with the Greater Manchester authorities, particularly Mr Andy Burnham, whose energy and warm support has done much to strengthen India-North-England ties," Vishakha Yaduvanshi, the Consul General of India in Manchester, told PTI. As the first head of India's new diplomatic mission in t

India can export over 1.1 mn tonnes of steel duty-free to UK under CETA

Indian exporters will be able to ship over 11 lakh tonnes of steel annually to the UK duty-free under the free trade agreement, which came into force on Wednesday, through a combination of country-specific and residual quotas, an official said. The UK's March steel safeguard measures had become a major sticking point in implementing the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which was signed on July 24, 2025. The resolution of the issue has paved the way for the implementation of the agreement from July 15. Overall, 188 steel items accounting for USD 137 million worth of steel exports from India to Britain were covered by these safeguard measures. India's total steel exports were USD 960 million in 2025. To protect the interest of our exporters, India engaged extensively with the UK side to mitigate the impact of the steel measure on India's exporters. Based on the consultations with stakeholders, India requested the UK for enhancing quota for India under the steel ...

India-UK CETA: What changes for exporters and workers from July 15?

India and the UK's trade deal comes into force on July 15, lowering import duties on many Indian exports and offering social security relief for professionals

India-UK origin rules trust exporters; subject to verification later

India-UK FTA origin rules require exporters and importers to ensure strict compliance with sourcing, documentation and certification to claim tariff benefits

India lays out tariffs, quotas for UK autos under FTA, to cut levy to 10%

Industry sees no immediate disruption in premium segment

India-UK trade pact set to spur growth in both nations: UKIBC chief

There is already "euphoria" within industry over the possibilities opened up by the India-UK free trade agreement, and economic growth for both countries is an inevitable outcome of the pact coming into force this month, according to an industry expert. The UK-India bilateral Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) was signed last year and will enter into force on July 15. Kishore Jayaraman, Group CEO of the UK India Business Council (UKIBC), said he remains "very bullish" about India and the UK being a "formative force into the future" as a result of the pact. "India offers capacity and capability, so scalability for businesses that want to scale up in the Indian market just gets that much easier," Jayaraman told PTI in an interview. "I think this is a celebration for SMEs, startups, and for creative people to scale themselves through the capacities and capabilities that India offers and go to the next level of their businesses," the industry leader said. "They should b

India-UK trade pact origin rules notified ahead of July 15 rollout

The finance ministry has notified rules for determining the origin of goods under the India-UK trade pact, clearing the way for the agreement's implementation from July 15

India-UK trade pact opens premium vehicle market, protects EV push

JLR says local manufacturing plans remain unchanged as India opens its premium vehicle market to British imports while protecting lower-cost EV segments

India-UK trade pact: What changes for autos, whisky, textiles, steel

Here are the key takeaways from the India-UK trade deal, from lower tariffs on cars and Scotch whisky to duty-free textile access, social security relief for professionals and steel export safeguards

New India-UK pact to benefit 90-95% of Indian professionals in Britain

About 90-95 per cent of Indian professionals employed by Indian companies operating in the UK would be benefitted from the social security agreement between the two countries, a move that will reduce costs for firms and enhance the competitiveness of Indian service providers in the British market, an official said. The two countries on June 17 announced that the Agreement on Social Security or the Double Contribution Convention (DCC) and Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) will come into effect on July 15. The DCC will give a major boost to IT majors like Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Infosys. Professionals of Indian-origin contribute about USD 0.5 billion each year to the UK social security. Under the DCC, employees temporarily transferred by companies from India to the UK, or vice versa, will be exempt from making social security contributions in the host country for up to five years. It was a key demand of India. Around 75,000 Indian professionals are worki

India to allow import of 378K UK cars on lower duty in 15 yrs of trade pact

India will allow the import of 3.78 lakh units of conventional-engine passenger cars, including those in the mass segment, from the UK at concessional customs duty during the first 15 years of the implementation of the trade pact between the two countries. Under the pact, tariffs on automotive imports will fall from about 110 per cent to 10 per cent, with quotas on both sides. According to the India-UK CETA document, released on Wednesday, India will get access to the UK's electric, hybrid/hydrogen passenger cars segment with duty-free exports to that country from the sixth year in the price segment ranging from GBP 20,000 to GBP 80,000, with the total quota reaching a peak of 88,000 units from the 15th year and continuing in the subsequent years. This will benefit Indian manufacturers such as Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, Mahindra & Mahindra, and Maruti Suzuki, among others. The two countries announced the implementation of the comprehensive trade and economic partnership ...

India-UK FTA: 5-year social security payment waiver to aid 75K Indians

Indian companies operating in the UK would not have to make social security contributions for up to five years for employees they move from India to support their operations, a one which will give a major a boost to IT majors like Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Infosys. The commerce ministry said that the Agreement on Social Security or the Double Contribution Convention (DCC) will come into effect from July 15 along with the comprehensive economic and trade agreement (CETA). The DCC "exempts Indian workers and employers from making dual social security contributions in the United Kingdom during temporary assignments. The period of exemption has been increased from 3 years to 5 years," it said. More than 75,000 Indian professionals and over 900 companies are expected to benefit, it said. The agreement, it said, will support mobility and continued social security coverage of the employees on temporary overseas assignments. "This will enhance India-UK partnerships in the servi

At G7 sidelines, PM Modi, UK's Starmer discuss ways to boost bilateral ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday met his British counterpart Keir Starmer and discussed ways to further deepen India-UK ties in areas such as trade, technology, innovation, defence, and clean energy. The two leaders, who met on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Evian-les-Bains in eastern France, also discussed regional and global developments, including the situation in West Asia and the conflict in Ukraine. In a post on X, Modi described the meeting as "wonderful" and said the past year had been "outstanding" for India-UK relations. "The trade deal has opened many avenues of economic cooperation. Today's talks focused on how to add even more momentum to India-UK ties," he said. Modi said the two leaders discussed ways to work closely in areas such as innovation, artificial intelligence, skill development and sports, as well as measures to boost investment linkages for the benefit of the people of both countries. "India-UK ties continue to gain momentum across trade, ...

Piyush Goyal discusses India-UK ties in innovation, tech with UK trade secy

Goyal said the discussions focused on expanding partnerships that could drive economic growth and create mutual benefits for both countries

India, UK review CETA implementation, discuss roadmap for early rollout

Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said in a post on X that they took stock of progress and worked though the sticking points

India-UK ties built on trust, collaboration, and shared ambition: UK envoy

The UK and India share a dynamic and forward-looking partnership built on trust, collaboration, and shared ambition, UK's Trade Commissioner for South Asia Harjinder Kang has said. Speaking during the annual King's Birthday Party celebrations here, Kang said this year's celebration follows a milestone year in UKIndia relations, marked by the signing of a Free Trade Agreement, a shared India-UK Vision 2035, and reciprocal visits by Prime Ministers Keir Starmer and Narendra Modi to each other's countries. The past year reflects a partnership that is deeper, broader, and more forward-looking than ever before, he said. "The UK and India share a dynamic and forward-looking partnership built on trust, collaboration, and shared ambition," Kang, who is also the Deputy High Commissioner, said on Friday. Kang hosted the King's Birthday Party on Friday, bringing together distinguished guests to celebrate the birthday of King Charles III. The evening brought together senior representatives fr

India a central force in shaping emerging global order: Ex-UK PM Liz Truss

Former UK prime minister Liz Truss described India as a central force shaping the emerging global order during an event on Friday, where she was conferred an honorary degree. She was conferred with an honorary doctorate, recognising her leadership, public service, and contributions to global political discourse during the convocation ceremony of the Lovely Professional University at Phagwara in Punjab, according to a statement by the varsity. Addressing the convocation ceremony, Vice President C P Radhakrishnan urged graduates to carry forward the values of integrity, diversity, compassion, and service. Expressing concern over the growing challenge of drug abuse on campuses, the vice president appealed to students not only to reject drugs but also to actively prevent peers from falling into this trap, describing such vigilance as a meaningful contribution to society. The convocation was presided over by Punjab Governor and Administrator of Chandigarh, Gulab Chand Kataria. Kataria

Best of BS Opinion: Starmer visit shows room for growth in India-UK trade

Today's Opinion pieces look at the potential for growth in India-UK trade, the hurdles to the Gaza peace plan, India's geopolitical opportunity, and Trump's hidden call for global change

Bollywood is back in Britain, says UK PM after signing 3-film pact with YRF

UK PM Keir Starmer announced a pact with Yash Raj Films for three Bollywood productions in the UK from 2026, creating 3,000 jobs and strengthening cultural and trade ties between India and Britain

UK PM Keir Starmer arrives in Mumbai on two-day visit: What's on agenda?

UK PM Keir Starmer began his first visit to India on Wednesday. He will discuss trade, technology, defence and investment with PM Narendra Modi to strengthen the India-UK strategic partnership