From Cars And Chocolates To Scotch And Salmon: What Gets Cheaper With India-UK Trade Deal
🇮🇳🤝🇬🇧 A Historic Deal Signed
A new chapter in India-UK relations has begun! On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK PM Keir Starmer finalized the long-awaited India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA). This game-changing deal, signed by India’s Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and UK’s Jonathan Reynold, comes after three years of intense negotiations.
And it’s huge—expected to increase trade by $34 billion annually between the two nations!
🚗💄🍫 What’s Getting Cheaper?
The FTA directly impacts everyday products and luxury items. Here's what Indian consumers can look forward to:
✅ Cheaper British Cars – Import duties drop from 15% to 3%, and electric vehicles will see a dramatic tariff cut from 110% to just 10% (within a quota).
✅ Whisky – Import duty on British whisky drops from 150% to 75% now, and will be further reduced to 40% over 10 years.
✅ Luxury & Food Products – Items like soft drinks, cosmetics, chocolates, biscuits, lamb, and salmon from the UK will be more affordable in India.
💼📈 How India Gains Big: Jobs, Skills, & Access
This isn’t just about imports. The trade deal opens major career opportunities and access for Indians in the UK:
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🎓 60,000+ IT professionals per year could benefit from easier mobility.
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💼 Indian professionals can now work in 35 UK sectors for 2 years—even without a physical office.
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✈️ Smoother entry for freelancers and contract-based workers like chefs, musicians, and yoga teachers.
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❌ No UK social security payments for 3 years for Indian workers.
Indian industries will also get cheaper access to UK-made aerospace parts, medical devices, and more. This could boost Make in India projects and support Indian entrepreneurs with better tools and tech.
📊 What’s in it for the UK?
The UK stands to benefit massively too:
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✅ Tariff reductions on 90% of Indian exports to the UK.
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💸 British companies can now bid on non-sensitive Indian government tenders above Rs 2 billion—almost 40,000 tenders a year!
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🧑💼 An estimated 2,200 new UK jobs will be created.
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🧥 Lower prices for British consumers on Indian clothes, shoes, and food products.
Even UK wages could see a boost of up to £2.2 billion a year thanks to the enhanced trade flow.
🌍 Why This Trade Deal Matters
This is India’s most comprehensive FTA with a developed country to date. It isn’t just about lower tariffs—it's about economic opportunity, global collaboration, and jobs on both sides.
It also highlights a new level of trust between the two nations. With 26 British companies already announcing new investments in India, we’re looking at a strong future of innovation, trade, and cultural exchange.
📢 Final Thoughts
Whether you're a student, tech professional, business owner, or a foodie, the India-UK FTA has something for everyone. From cheaper whisky and EVs to new jobs and career access, this deal could shape the economic landscape for years to come.
Stay tuned for when the agreement comes into effect—your next car or box of chocolates might just cost a lot less!
Reference from:- https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/from-cars-and-chocolates-to-scotch-and-salmon-what-gets-cheaper-with-india-uk-free-trade-agreement-8941060