British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Oct 8 urged for the India–UK free trade agreement to be implemented “as soon as humanly possible,” as he began a two-day visit to India with over 100 business, academic, and cultural leaders.
Signed in July during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to London, the trade deal cuts tariffs on goods including whisky, textiles, and cars, while expanding market access for businesses.
Concluded after three years of negotiations, it aims to boost bilateral trade by £25.5 billion (S$44.3 billion) by 2040.
“This provides huge opportunities,” Mr Starmer told delegates in Mumbai, adding that implementation should happen quickly. He was scheduled to meet Mr Modi on Oct 9, with both nations aiming to ratify the deal by end-2026.
