Thu Jul 24 19:00:00 UTC 2025: **India and UK Sign Landmark Trade Agreement, Aiming to Double Bilateral Trade**

**New Delhi, [Date – Assume Today’s Date]:** India and the United Kingdom cemented a long-awaited economic partnership today with the signing of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). Leaders from both nations expressed strong optimism that the deal will unlock significant market opportunities and deliver substantial benefits for their respective economies.

The primary objective of the CETA is to double current bilateral trade figures, currently standing at approximately $56 billion. Accompanying the agreement was the unveiling of the “UK-India Vision 2035,” a comprehensive roadmap outlining enhanced collaboration in crucial sectors such as defense, technology, and education, signaling a deeper strategic alliance.

This landmark trade agreement, touted as one of India’s most ambitious, demonstrates Delhi’s commitment to lowering tariffs and fostering closer integration with developed economies while attracting increased investment. Under the terms of the deal, average tariffs on British products entering India will plummet from 15% to 3%, potentially triggering a surge in UK exports.

Conversely, the agreement grants “unprecedented duty-free access for 99% of India’s exports to the UK,” encompassing a wide array of goods including textiles, leather, footwear, gems, jewellery, engineering goods, and auto components.

Beyond goods, India has secured significant concessions in the services sector, enhancing market access for IT, IT-enabled services, finance, legal, professional, and educational services. A “double contribution convention” will alleviate the financial burden on Indian professionals and their employers by exempting them from social security payments in the UK.

The India-UK deal arrives amid a global trading landscape reshaped by protectionist policies in other countries, namely, the United States. While India remains in trade negotiations with the U.S., this agreement with the UK could provide a template for resolving contentious issues in other trade negotiations, including those with the European Union.

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