UK's Trade Secretary Peter Kyle Heads to India to Advance Landmark FTA

Strengthening Trade Relations Between India and the UK

This week, Peter Kyle, the UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade, is set to visit New Delhi to enhance the implementation of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the UK and India, which aims to provide a significant boost to both economies, as announced by the British government on Monday.

Kyle's arrival in New Delhi on Tuesday will initiate discussions with India's Commerce and Industry Minister, Piyush Goyal, focusing on expediting the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which both governments regard as a priority.

This trade agreement, projected to enhance the annual trade partnership valued at £48 billion, faced some delays due to the UK's impending restrictions on steel imports.

In a statement prior to his visit, Kyle emphasized that this pivotal agreement would create substantial opportunities for businesses and consumers in both nations, spanning sectors from whisky to automotive.

He expressed optimism that his discussions in Delhi would facilitate the swift implementation of this mutually beneficial agreement, which holds significant economic value.

The UK government highlighted that Kyle's visit comes at a crucial time of global economic shifts, underscoring the importance of advancing the economic partnership with India to foster growth in both countries.

The FTA is designed to eliminate tariffs on 99% of UK goods and 90% of Indian goods, thereby simplifying and accelerating trade between the two markets.

During his time in New Delhi, Kyle will also engage with industry leaders from both nations to prepare businesses for the upcoming CETA.

The UK-India FTA is noted as the most economically significant bilateral trade agreement the UK has established since exiting the European Union, encompassing 30 chapters that address various topics, including gender, innovation, environment, and labor, making it one of India's most comprehensive trade agreements.

Kyle's visit coincides with another Cabinet minister, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, who will arrive in India from China for discussions with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday.

The British government remarked that as global conflicts, such as the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, create economic disruptions worldwide, enhancing the UK-India economic partnership remains a top priority, promising substantial mutual advantages.

Kyle's upcoming trip follows a significant UK trade mission to Mumbai last October, where he was part of a delegation led by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, consisting of 125 prominent CEOs and business leaders aimed at unlocking vast opportunities across various sectors in India.

This trade mission built upon the signing of the India-UK CETA and 'Vision 2035' during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the UK in July 2025.

According to projections from the UK Department for Business and Trade, the India-UK FTA could potentially increase annual bilateral trade by £25.5 billion and elevate GDP by nearly £5 billion for both nations in the long term.