After landmark trade deal, UK Prime Minister speaks to Prime Minister Modi today 

Ziraat Times Team Report

LONDON/NEW DELHI: After three years of on-and-off negotiations, the United Kingdom and India have agreed on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) that is expected to significantly boost economic ties between the two nations. The deal, hailed as the most ambitious trade pact India has ever signed and the largest bilateral trade agreement for the UK post-Brexit, is projected to increase bilateral trade by an additional £25.5 billion annually by 2040.

The agreement will make it easier for UK businesses to export goods like whisky, cars, lamb, salmon, chocolates, and aerospace equipment to India by lowering high tariff barriers. In return, Indian exporters will benefit from reduced duties on products such as clothing, footwear, jewellery, frozen prawns, and gems entering the UK market.

Speaking after the announcement, UK Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds described the deal’s benefits for British businesses and consumers as “massive.” He met with Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal in London last week to finalise the terms of the deal.

Notably, the agreement does not include changes to immigration policies, including rules for Indian students in the UK — a point confirmed by the British government.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke today to celebrate the historic signing, an official press release issued to Ziraat Times said. Both leaders highlighted the economic impact and strategic importance of the deal, which they said was a testament to their shared vision for closer ties. PM Modi thanked Starmer  for his “decisive leadership” in finalising the agreement, while Starmer emphasised its potential to “deliver for working people and British businesses.”

The two leaders also discussed recent security challenges, including the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir last month. PM Starmer  expressed his condolences for the tragic loss of life.

Prime Minister Modi extended an invitation to the UK Prime Minister to visit India, which the UK leader accepted, noting he looks forward to the visit at the earliest opportunity.