Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal described the UK–India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) as the most comprehensive trade agreement India has concluded to date, highlighting its potential to strengthen bilateral trade, investment and innovation.
At the Capital & Future Frontiers Forum during UK–India Week 2026 in London, Goyal said the agreement marks a major milestone in India’s global trade strategy and will come into force in July.
The India Global Forum brought together ministers, business leaders, investors, entrepreneurs and policymakers to discuss the next phase of the UK–India economic partnership, with a focus on trade, capital flows, technology and long-term investment.
Describing the agreement as a landmark achievement, Goyal said every trade partnership is unique and noted that the UK–India FTA will expand cooperation across goods, services, investment and emerging sectors.
UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade Peter Kyle said the agreement represents a broader reset in bilateral relations, and the strong commitment demonstrated by the leadership of both countries has accelerated progress towards removing barriers to free flow trade and investment.
India Global Forum Founder and Chairman Manoj Ladwa noted that bilateral trade between the two countries has grown from £17 billion during the UK–India Week launch to nearly £48 billion today. He said the FTA would provide a platform for deeper collaboration in capital, technology, institutions and innovation.
The forum also featured discussions on artificial intelligence, semiconductors, biotechnology, clean energy, advanced manufacturing and capital markets, highlighting the growing opportunities for collaboration in frontier technologies and long-term investment.
The event concluded with business leaders confirming India’s position as one of the world’s most attractive long-term investment destinations, highlighting the country’s economic growth, expanding consumer market and stable institutional framework as key drivers of future partnerships.
