Ř
India-UK
Partnership Expanding Beyond Trade into Technology, AI, Defence and Clean Energy
Ř
Piyush
Goyal Highlights Birmingham-Gujarat and Manchester-Maharashtra Linkages as Drivers
of Bilateral Growth
·
Union
Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal
announced the deployment of 1,000
advisory personnel across India to help businesses maximise
benefits from the upcoming India-UK
Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).
·
The
government will also upgrade the trade
portal to provide better support and guidance to businesses
using the agreement.
·
Mr.
Goyal participated in high-level engagements during the 10th Annual UK-India Week in London,
highlighting opportunities from the implementation of the India-UK CETA on 15 July 2026.
·
The
India-UK CETA is described as India’s most
comprehensive free trade agreement to date and is expected to
increase bilateral trade by around GBP
25.5 billion annually.
·
Addressing
the India Global Forum
(IGF) Capital Frontiers Forum, the Minister highlighted that
India-UK relations now extend beyond traditional trade into strategic sectors
such as:
o Technology
o Sovereign AI
o Critical minerals
o Defence
o Clean energy
·
Mr.
Goyal welcomed the largest and most geographically diverse Indian business
delegation visiting the UK, including:
o Businesses from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities
o Several first-time exporters
·
The
Minister highlighted benefits of the agreement for Indian professionals working
in the UK:
o Eligible professionals will receive a five-year exemption from social security
contributions
o Savings can be invested in interest-bearing, tax-free provident
fund accounts in India
·
He
emphasised the importance of strengthening regional economic partnerships,
citing examples such as:
o Birmingham–Gujarat
o Manchester–Maharashtra
·
Mr.
Goyal encouraged Indian businesses to:
o Promote Brand India
o Utilise India’s strengths in
manufacturing, services, and innovation
o Build stronger partnerships with UK
businesses
·
The
CETA is expected to:
o Improve market access for Indian companies
o Enhance competitiveness
o Support professional mobility
o Create opportunities in goods, services,
and investment
·
The
Minister highlighted India’s position as the world’s fastest-growing major economy,
offering opportunities based on:
o Trust
o Talent
o Inclusive growth
o Economic stability
·
Indian
enterprises were encouraged to become early
movers, adopt international quality standards, and leverage the
agreement to expand global trade and investment partnerships.
·
The
India-UK partnership was described as having significant potential to support
India’s long-term economic growth ambitions.
[ABS News Service/27.06.2026]
Union
Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal announced the deployment of 1,000
advisory personnel across the country and the upgradation of the trade portal to
help businesses maximise the benefits of the Agreement.
Mr.
Goyal participated in a series of high-level engagements during the 10th Annual
UK-India Week in London today, highlighting the opportunities arising from the forthcoming
implementation of the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)
on 15 July 2026.
As
India's most comprehensive free trade agreement to date, the India-UK CETA is projected
to increase bilateral trade by GBP 25.5 billion annually.
Addressing
the India Global Forum (IGF) Capital Frontiers Forum, Mr. Goyal said that the India-UK
partnership has expanded beyond traditional trade to encompass strategic sectors
such as technology, sovereign AI, critical minerals, defence and clean energy. He
observed that the evolving partnership reflects the growing depth and diversity
of bilateral economic engagement.
At
a reception hosted by the High Commission of India and FICCI, the Minister welcomed
the largest and most geographically diverse Indian business delegation to visit
the United Kingdom. The delegation included significant participation from enterprises
based in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, along with several first-time exporters.
Highlighting
the benefits of the India-UK CETA for Indian professionals, Mr. Goyal said the Agreement
provides a five-year exemption from social security contributions for eligible Indian
professionals working in the United Kingdom, enabling them to redirect these savings
into interest-bearing, tax-free provident fund accounts in India.
The
Minister also emphasised the importance of strengthening sub-national economic partnerships
and highlighted region-to-region linkages, including Birmingham-Gujarat and Manchester-Maharashtra,
as important drivers of future bilateral growth.
Underscoring
India's emergence as the world's fastest-growing major economy, Mr. Goyal encouraged
businesses to showcase Brand India with confidence, leverage the country's strengths
in manufacturing, services and innovation, and build enduring partnerships with
businesses in the United Kingdom. He said the India-UK CETA would enhance market
access, improve the competitiveness of Indian enterprises, facilitate greater mobility
for professionals and create new opportunities across goods, services and investment.
Mr.
Goyal said that India today represents trust, talent, inclusive growth and a stable
environment, adding that the country offers immense opportunities for global partnerships
and co-creation. He emphasised that businesses should seize the opportunities emerging
from India's sustained economic growth and expanding global engagement.
The
Minister further said that the India-UK partnership holds immense potential for
growth. He encouraged Indian businesses to emerge as early movers, adopt international
quality standards and showcase Brand India globally while strengthening trade and
investment partnerships with the United Kingdom. He also underlined the role of
Indian enterprises in contributing towards the country's long-term economic growth
aspirations.