India-UK Trade Agreement Implementation

India and the United Kingdom are set to implement the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the Double Contributions Convention (DCC) in April 2026. These agreements, signed on July 24, 2025, aim to double the bilateral trade between India and the United Kingdom to $100 billion by 2030. Under CETA, 99% of Indian exports will enter the British market duty-free, while India will reduce tariffs on British products such as cars and Scotch whisky. Specifically, tariffs on Scotch whisky will drop from 150% to 75% immediately and further to 40% by 2035. Import duties on automobiles will decrease from up to 110% to 10% over five years. In return, Indian manufacturers will gain access to the United Kingdom market for electric and hybrid vehicles. The DCC will prevent temporary workers from having to pay social security contributions in both countries. The agreements are currently undergoing parliamentary approval in the United Kingdom and require approval from the Union Cabinet in India. Chris Bryant, Minister of State in the Department for Business and Trade, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer have both expressed strong support for the CETA, highlighting its importance for both economies.