India-UK FTA Deal Signed

LONDON, July 24: India and the United Kingdom have signed a landmark Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) on Thursday in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK counterpart Keir Starmer. The trade agreement was officially formalised after the Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and British counterpart Jonathan Reynolds signed the document.

The new agreement between the two countries is aimed at improving the bilateral trade between the nations. Furthermore, multiple goods will become cheaper for India and the UK, benefiting consumers of various industries, including the automotive industry.

"This CETA marks a milestone in the trade relations between two major economies, setting an ambitious and balanced framework. It unlocks tariff-free access on 99% of Indian exports to the UK, covering nearly 100% of trade value- including labour-intensive sectors advancing the 'Make in India' initiative and setting the stage for bilateral trade to double by 2030."

The FTA is expected to bring tariff cuts to automobiles with reductions from 110 to 10 per cent on certain models made by British manufacturers. It is to be noted that the United Kingdom is home to multiple automakers operating in the Indian market, including Land Rover, Jaguar (both owned by Tata Motors), Lotus, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, McLaren, and Aston Martin.

Before the agreement can be put into effect, it must receive approval from the British Parliament, a process expected to take around one year. However, the excitement among consumers in India had started showing effect since the announcement of successful negotiations between the two countries on 6 May 2025. Reports suggest, the consumers started cancelling booking for the luxury models hoping to save money once the FTA was finalised.

'New Momentum In Ties': Modi Meets King Charles After Free Trade Deal

LONDON, July 24: After the signing of the historic India-UK Free Trade Agreement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met King Charles III at Sandringham house in the United Kingdom on Thursday.

The Prime Minister presented King Charles with a tree sapling to be planted later this year, inspired by the environmental initiative launched by the Prime Minister, "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam", which encourages people to plant a tree in tribute to their mothers

The meeting also reflected the ongoing efforts to strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries.

Taking to social media platform X, PM Modi wrote: "His Majesty King Charles III is very passionate about nature, environment and sustainable living. Thus, his joining the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' (a tree for Mother) movement is very noteworthy and will inspire people around the world."

"Had a very good meeting with His Majesty King Charles III. We discussed different aspects of India-UK relations, including the ground covered in trade and investment in the wake of CETA and Vision 2035. Other subjects of discussion included education, health and wellness, particularly Yoga and Ayurveda, which are subjects His Majesty is very passionate about. We also talked about environmental protection and sustainability," Modi wrote on X in another social media post.

In a post on X, the British Royal Family confirmed that King Charles received Prime Minister Modi at Sandringham House on Thursday afternoon. During the meeting, PM Modi presented the King with a tree sapling to be planted later this year.

"This afternoon, The King received the Prime Minister of the Republic of India, @NarendraModi, at Sandringham House. During their time together, His Majesty was given a tree to be planted this Autumn, inspired by the environmental initiative launched by the Prime Minister, "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam", which encourages people to plant a tree in tribute to their mothers," the British Royal Family posted on X.

The gesture was part of the Indian Prime Minister's environmental campaign, "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam", which encourages individuals to plant a tree in honour of their mothers.

The initiative was recently launched as a national movement focused on environmental sustainability.

The Prime Minister shared his happiness at the recovery of King Charles' health and resumption of his royal duties, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a press statement.

Modi and King Charles discussed matters related to health and sustainable living, including Ayurveda and Yoga and ways to spread their benefits to people across the world.

The two leaders also discussed bilateral ties.

They noted that the signing of the historic India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement would impart a new momentum to the partnership.

Modi apprised King Charles of the progress made by India in the renewable energy sector to promote sustainable development.

They also discussed ways to collaborate and promote their shared vision regarding climate change and sustainability.

Prime Minister and King Charles also discussed ways in which the UK and India could work together in the Commonwealth.

Modi thanked the King for joining the green campaign -- Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam (plant for mother) and handed over a sapling that will be planted in Sandringham House during the upcoming planting season in autumn.

The Prime Minister thanked King Charles for his hospitality and invited him to pay a State Visit to India.

Airbus, Rolls Royce To Supply To Indian Airlines In 5 Billion Pound Deal

LONDON, July 24: European aviation giant Airbus and iconic British luxury automobile manufacturer Rolls Royce are among the 26 British firms to have secured lucrative deals after India signed a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement with the United Kingdom Thursday afternoon.

Airbus, headquartered in Blagnac in France, and Rolls Royce, based in Derby in the UK, will deliver aircraft and engines to Indian airlines in deals worth nearly 5 billion GBP. This will benefit both countries, securing planes and engines for India's aviation sector and jobs for the UK.

The list of British companies that will now invest in India includes Carbon Clean, a carbon capture service provider - i.e., it contains carbon dioxide emissions from industrial sources - founded in India in 2009 and now headquartered in London. The company will invest 7.6 million GBP in a Mumbai office.

UK-based medical technology firm Occuity, which creates handheld, non-contact optical devices for eye measurements, signed a 74.3 million GBP export deal with India's Remidio Innovative Solutions.

And Johnson Matthey, a specialty chemicals firm that secured contracts worth more than 20 million GBP, will invest four million in India and support up to 20,000 jobs.

The Marcus Evans Group, a global business intelligence and event management agency, will open a new Mumbai office with an export/investment pipeline of 69 million GBP over five years.

Meanwhile, 18 Indian firms have confirmed investment plans in the UK, including DCube AI, a Kerala-based artificial intelligence firm that will invest 5 million GBP in Manchester and London.

IT services and consulting firm LTIMindtree will invest 1 million GBP in its London operations and create over 300 jobs, while Aurionpro, a tech firm in the banking and cybersecurity space, will invest a massive 20 million GBP to set up a UK office and generate over 150 jobs.

The "historic" India-UK trade deal was signed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his counterpart, Sir Keir Starmer, in London this morning. Modi is in England on a two-day visit.

Apart from boosting the manufacturing and services sectors on both sides - and provide tens of thousands of jobs - the agreement will also benefit Indian farmers, since it opens premium markets by removing 95 per cent of agricultural and processed food items from British tariffs.

Indian farm products like turmeric, pepper and cardamom, and processed products like mango pulp, pickles, and pulses, are expected to benefit, providing farmers with bigger profit margins.

Imports from the UK will also enjoy duty-free access to a vast Indian market.

However, there will be no concessions on dairy products, apples, oats, and edible oils from that country. This is to ensure domestic farmers are not affected.

The agreement will also benefit India's fisheries sector, particularly in coastal states like Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. Exports like shrimp and tuna, feeds, which attract duties from 4.2 per cent to 8.5 per cent, will now access the British market duty-free.

Modi said the agreement will reduce "cost of doing business" and enhance "confidence of doing business" between two major economies, which will also strengthen the global economy.

Sir Starmer called the deal "historic" and said, "Both countries will see a boost in wages and living standards. It will bring down the prices of Indian clothes, shoes, foods for British citizens."