Wed Jul 23 14:25:33 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text, followed by a rewritten news article:

**Summary:**

Prime Minister Modi is in the UK to sign a comprehensive free trade agreement (FTA) between India and the UK. The agreement, officially known as a Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, aims to significantly boost bilateral trade to $120 billion by 2030. It will reduce tariffs on a wide range of goods, benefiting both Indian and British businesses and consumers. Key aspects include reduced duties on British whisky and cars, and increased access for Indian labor-intensive goods to the UK market. It will also ease mobility for Indian professionals working in the UK and reduces the financial burden on Indian workers in the UK with the Double Contribution Convention Agreement. The FTA is expected to require parliamentary approval in the UK before taking effect.

**News Article:**

**India and UK Set to Sign Landmark Free Trade Agreement, Aiming to Double Trade by 2030**

**London, July 23, 2025** – Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in London ahead of the signing of a landmark free trade agreement (FTA) between India and the United Kingdom, scheduled for Thursday, July 24th. The agreement, officially titled a Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, marks a significant step towards strengthening economic ties between the two nations.

The pact, to be signed by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and his British counterpart Jonathan Reynolds, is projected to double trade between India and the UK to $120 billion by 2030. The agreement will benefit both economies by reducing tariffs on a wide range of goods.

“This FTA represents a historic opportunity to boost trade and investment between India and the UK,” said an official statement released by the Indian government. “It will create new jobs, drive economic growth, and enhance the competitiveness of businesses in both countries.”

Key provisions of the agreement include reduced tariffs on British whisky and cars, with duties on whisky set to decrease from 150% to 40% over ten years. Automotive tariffs will be reduced from over 100% to 10% under a quota. Indian labor-intensive sectors, such as textiles, leather, and marine products, are expected to gain significantly from increased access to the UK market, with 99% of Indian exports set to benefit from zero duty.

The agreement also addresses service sector needs, easing mobility for Indian professionals, including contractual service providers, business visitors, and independent professionals such as yoga instructors and chefs, with the Double Contribution Convention Agreement, allowing reduced payment on social security funds for Indian workers working for a limited time in the UK.

While the conclusion of negotiations was announced in May, the agreement requires approval from the British Parliament before it can be fully implemented, a process expected to take approximately one year.

Prior to arriving in the UK, Prime Minister Modi departed from New Delhi on Wednesday for a four-day visit that includes a stop in the Maldives.

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