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Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has described the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) as a defining example of how “New India does” business, arguing that the landmark pact will create opportunities across the economy while protecting sensitive domestic sectors.
Writing in an article published in The Indian Express ahead of the agreement’s July 15 implementation, Goyal said the trade pact would benefit Indian farmers, businesses, artisans, startups and skilled professionals by opening access to the premium UK market without compromising India’s core interests.
“The India-UK trade pact is a testament to how New India does business,” Goyal wrote, calling the agreement a “people-centric” deal that balances export growth with safeguards for vulnerable sectors.
The comments come days after India and the United Kingdom announced that CETA
would enter into force on July 15, less than a year after it was signed, making it the fastest implementation of a trade agreement following signature in British trade history.
Opportunities from farms to factories
According to Goyal, the agreement will provide duty-free access for a wide range of Indian agricultural products, including turmeric, pepper, cardamom, mango pulp, pickles and pulses, helping farmers tap into one of the world’s most lucrative consumer markets.
He argued that higher exports would boost farm incomes, encourage quality improvements and generate employment across agricultural supply chains.
At the same time, he stressed that India had protected its most sensitive agricultural sectors by excluding products such as dairy, cereals, millets, apples, oats and edible oils from tariff concessions.
“These exclusions reflect the government’s strategy of prioritising food security, domestic price stability and vulnerable farming communities,” Goyal said.
The minister also highlighted benefits for Indian manufacturers, saying immediate duty-free access to the UK market would strengthen labour-intensive sectors ranging from textiles and handicrafts to sports goods and toys.
“From the looms of Tiruppur to the labs of Bengaluru, from diamond artisans in Surat to coders in Hyderabad, this agreement touches the real economy,” he wrote.
Boost for services and skilled professionals
Goyal said the UK had offered one of its most comprehensive services commitments ever, covering all major sectors and 137 sub-sectors of export interest to India.
The agreement is expected to improve market access for Indian companies operating in information technology, financial services, healthcare, education, engineering, telecommunications and consultancy services.
The minister also underscored mobility provisions secured under the pact, which cover business travellers, investors, contractual service providers and independent professionals.
Under the arrangement, 1,800 Indian chefs, yoga instructors and classical musicians will gain dedicated mobility opportunities in the UK each year.
Alongside the trade deal, the India-UK Double Contribution Convention (DCC) will come into force on July 15, allowing Indian professionals working temporarily in Britain to continue contributing to India’s social security system without making duplicate payments in the UK.
The government estimates that more than 75,000 Indian professionals and over 900 companies will benefit from the arrangement.
“A landmark arrangement,” Goyal said, “that exempts Indian workers and employers from making dual social-security contributions during temporary assignments.”
Part of broader trade strategy
The commerce minister positioned the UK agreement within the Modi government’s wider trade and investment agenda.
He pointed to recent agreements with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries — Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein — as well as trade deals with Australia and New Zealand, arguing that India’s free trade agreements now extend beyond tariff reductions to include investment commitments and regulatory cooperation.
According to Goyal, India secured a commitment of $100 billion in investments under the EFTA agreement, while the trade pact with New Zealand includes a proposed $20 billion investment commitment over 15 years.
He contrasted the government’s current trade strategy with earlier approaches, arguing that New Delhi now pursues agreements with developed economies that provide large export markets without directly threatening India’s core industries.
“FTAs also enhance investor confidence by reducing uncertainty around trade policies,” he wrote.
India’s growing economic influence
Goyal said India’s improved economic standing has strengthened its position in trade negotiations.
Referring to the economic challenges faced by India in 2014, he argued that policy reforms, improvements in ease of doing business, fiscal discipline and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s global engagement had transformed India into a preferred destination for investment.
“Today, the world wants to participate in India’s growth story — and sign FTAs,” he wrote.
The minister said trade agreements also play a role in making domestic industries more competitive by gradually opening markets and encouraging manufacturers to improve quality and productivity.
Describing the India-UK pact as a model for future negotiations, Goyal said CETA demonstrated that ambitious trade agreements could deliver broad-based benefits while safeguarding national interests.
“CETA is a benchmark for equitable and ambitious trade agreements between major economies,” he wrote. “It opens attractive global opportunities for the underprivileged without compromising India’s core interests. It is a shining example of how New India does business.”
