BIG NEWS
- ED raids hospitals, residences across Kerala in organ donation racket probe
- US-Iran peace agreement signed digitally, Switzerland meet not confirmed yet
- India-UK trade pact to come into force from July 15
- As rebellion buzz swells, Raut alleges bid to lure MPs with Rs 50 cr; dares dissidents to resign
- Telegram moves Delhi High Court against temporary ban on app ahead of NEET re-test
- FBI disrupts alleged 'planned attacks' targeting White House UFC show; five arrested
- 'El Nino can cause severe damage to up to 10 states': Agriculture minister stresses district-level plan for Kharif season
- Mamata Banerjee challenges Bhabanipur Assembly election result in Calcutta High Court
- SC seeks responses of Centre, States on plea for use of Aadhaar as identity proof only
- US, Iran sign landmark MoU to reopen Hormuz, end blockade amid surge in maritime traffic
India-UK trade pact to come into force from July 15
Public Lokpal
June 18, 2026
India-UK trade pact to come into force from July 15
NEW DELHI: After resolving a steel issue, India and the UK on Wednesday announced that the free trade agreement will come into force on July 15, a move which is expected to help double two-way commerce to USD 100 billion by 2030.
The two countries will also implement the Agreement on Social Security or the Double Contribution Convention (DCC) on the same day.
Under this, Indian companies operating in the UK would not have to make social security contributions for up to five years for employees they move from India to support their operations.
"The period of exemption under DCC has been increased from 3 years to 5 years, thereby marking a major gain for India's temporary workers," the commerce ministry said in a statement.
It said that following the successful completion of internal procedures and ratifications by both governments, the agreements will formally enter into force on July 15, 2026.
"The groundwork for this historic agreement was laid in May 2021 through the Enhanced Trade Partnership and the adoption of the India-UK Roadmap 2030, which set the goal of elevating bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and doubling trade to USD 100 billion by 2030," it said.
Following fourteen intensive rounds of talks and discussions, negotiations for the CETA were concluded on May 6, 2025.
The agreement was officially signed on July 24 last year in London.
Commerce and industry Minister Piyush Goyal said that the simultaneous enforcement of the CETA and the DCC on July 15 will open up significant new opportunities for India's exports.
The trade pact will see 99 per cent of Indian exports enter the UK duty-free, while reducing tariffs on British products such as cars and whisky.
The minister is expected to visit London later this month (June 25-27).
PTI
