India and UK Sign Landmark Free Trade Agreement, Marking a New Era in Bilateral Ties: PM Modi
London:
India and the United Kingdom on Thursday signed a historic free trade agreement aimed at significantly boosting economic ties and doubling bilateral trade by 2030. The pact, witnessed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Chequers—the British PM’s country residence—will reduce tariffs on key goods like British whisky and cars, while granting expanded market access to Indian exports.
Calling it a “historic day” for India-UK relations, PM Modi highlighted the long negotiation process that finally culminated in the comprehensive economic and trade deal. “After years of dedicated effort, we’ve signed a wide-ranging agreement that paves the way for economic growth,” Modi said, with PM Starmer standing alongside him.
The deal is expected to benefit nearly 99% of Indian exports, especially in sectors such as agriculture, processed foods, textiles, footwear, gems and jewellery, seafood, and engineering goods. It is also expected to open up new employment and business opportunities for India’s youth, farmers, fishermen, and MSMEs.
In his remarks, PM Starmer called the pact the “largest and most economically significant trade deal” the UK has signed since its exit from the European Union.
On matters of security, PM Modi thanked the UK for its strong condemnation of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam and reiterated the shared commitment of both countries to fighting terrorism. “There’s no space for double standards in the fight against extremism,” he said, adding that India and the UK will further collaborate on extradition of economic offenders and related security issues.
Modi also revealed that India and the UK are working on a Vision 2035 roadmap to give renewed direction to their strategic partnership in the coming decade. The leaders discussed geopolitical concerns, including the Indo-Pacific region, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, and the crisis in West Asia.
Emphasizing the importance of respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity, Modi said, “The demand of today’s era is not expansionism, but developmentalism.”
He concluded by expressing condolences for the loss of British lives in the recent Air India crash in Ahmedabad.
News Source : Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.
