Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to London on July 24 to formally sign a historic free trade agreement (FTA) between India and the United Kingdom, according to officials cited by PTI. Accompanying him on the diplomatic visit will be Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, as India moves to strengthen its global trade relationships.
The FTA, finalized on May 6, aims to significantly boost bilateral trade by eliminating tariffs on a wide range of goods. Key Indian exports such as leather goods, footwear, and apparel will benefit from duty-free access to the UK market. In return, British exports including whisky and automobiles will enjoy reduced import duties in India.
The agreement is expected to double India-UK trade volumes, potentially reaching $120 billion by 2030. It represents a major milestone in the economic relationship between the two nations and follows years of negotiations.
Modi’s visit will also include a stop in the Maldives as part of a four-day international tour focused on expanding collaboration in trade, investment, and defense.
Following the formal signing, the agreement will be subject to ratification by the British Parliament and final approval from India’s Cabinet. Full implementation of the deal is expected to take around one year.
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