 Early Times Report
JAMMU, July 25: Gaurav Gupta, BJP Spokesperson, said that the signing of the historic India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on July 24 marks a transformative moment in India's global trade journey under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji. This landmark agreement-India's first major FTA with a Western developed nation and the UK's biggest trade deal post-Brexit-is a resounding testament to India's growing economic strength and diplomatic credibility.
Gupta said the FTA is expected to boost bilateral trade by USD 34 billion annually, while adding £4.8 billion to the UK's GDP. He noted that the deal will grant duty-free access to 99% of Indian exports, providing a massive push to labour-intensive sectors like textiles, leather, footwear, gems & jewellery, auto components, and marine products. With zero tariffs on key Indian exports such as shrimp, tuna, and textiles, this deal will uplift countless MSMEs, artisans, weavers, and daily-wage workers across India.
He further said that the agreement opens up new doors for Indian professionals and youth. With temporary work visas of up to 3 years for IT, finance, legal, and engineering sectors, and mobility provisions for Indian chefs, yoga instructors, and artists, the deal is a major win for India's skilled workforce. The exemption from double social security contributions for up to 75,000 Indians working in the UK will save Indian professionals and companies around £300 million annually.
Gupta also highlighted that the FTA would make British goods like Premium Spirits, luxury cars, medical devices, electronics, and cosmetics significantly more affordable in India, thanks to sharp tariff cuts. He praised the inclusion of futuristic sectors in the India-UK Vision 2035 roadmap-ranging from semiconductors, AI, and clean energy to space tech and joint research-which will deepen strategic and innovation-based ties between the two nations.
He noted that Indian firms will now enjoy access to 36 service sectors without Economic Needs Tests and gain equal footing in UK government procurement, enabling them to compete for major tenders. UK firms will similarly benefit from simplified processes in sensitive sectors such as renewables, education, AI, and infrastructure.
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