The North News
New Delhi, July 24
India and the UK have formally signed a landmark free trade agreement, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi describing the development as a “historic milestone” in bilateral ties. During his visit to London, Prime Minister Modi thanked his British counterpart, Keir Starmer, for his “warm welcome and gracious hospitality”, and hailed the agreement as more than an economic pact — calling it a “blueprint for shared prosperity”.
The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), finalised after years of negotiations, will see enhanced market access for Indian products including textiles, gems, footwear, seafood and engineering goods. Indian agricultural producers and MSMEs are also expected to benefit.
In return, Indian consumers and industries will gain greater access to UK-manufactured goods such as aerospace components and medical devices. A parallel pact — the Double Contribution Convention — was also reached, aimed at reducing operational costs and boosting business confidence in both nations, particularly in technology and financial services.
Modi said the agreements would “boost bilateral investment, generate employment opportunities, and contribute to global stability”. He also announced Vision 2035, a roadmap for deeper strategic cooperation in defence, climate, education, and technology over the next decade.
As part of these ambitions, a Defence Industrial Roadmap has been developed, and initiatives to cooperate on AI, semiconductors, cybersecurity, and critical minerals will be expanded. Education also featured prominently in the discussions, with six UK universities, including the University of Southampton, opening campuses in India — a move hailed as a “new chapter” in bilateral academic collaboration.
Addressing security and geopolitical concerns, Modi expressed appreciation for the UK’s condemnation of the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam and stressed that “those who misuse democratic freedoms to undermine democracy must be held to account.”
On international issues, both leaders discussed the Indo-Pacific, Ukraine, and West Asia, reiterating support for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and calling for an end to conflict.
Modi also paid tribute to UK citizens of Indian origin who died in the recent Ahmedabad bridge collapse, calling them a “living bridge” between the two countries. He praised the Indian diaspora for bringing “not just curry but creativity, commitment, and character” to British life. Ending on a cultural note, Modi likened India–UK ties to a game of cricket: “There may be a swing and a miss at times. But we always play with a straight bat. We are committed to building a high-scoring solid partnership.”
He concluded by inviting Prime Minister Starmer to visit India, saying he looked forward to hosting him soon.
