India-U.K. free trade pact likely to be implemented in April 2026: Official

The India-U.K. free trade agreement, finalized in July last year, is expected to take effect in April 2026, a government official confirmed.

On July 24, 2025, the two nations inked the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), allowing 99% of Indian exports to enter the U.K. market duty-free, while India will phase down tariffs on U.K. goods like cars and whisky.

"We're anticipating implementation starting in April this year," the official noted.

The countries also finalized the Double Contributions Convention (DCC) to prevent temporary workers from paying duplicate social security contributions in both nations.

Both agreements are set to launch simultaneously, the official added.

The pact requires U.K. parliamentary approval before rollout.

In India, such deals get the nod from the Union Cabinet. Once the British parliament greenlights it, implementation will follow on a date both sides agree upon.

The U.K. House of Commons debated the India-U.K. CETA earlier this week.

Chris Bryant, Minister of State for Business and Trade, spoke for the Labour government, calling CETA a landmark deal that "surpasses India's previous agreements in opportunities for U.K. businesses."

The British Parliament is in the process of ratifying it, with discussions in both the Commons and Lords, plus committee scrutiny of all key elements, paving the way for rollout soon.

CETA seeks to double the $56 billion trade volume between the world's fifth- and sixth-largest economies by 2030.

India is opening up to U.K. consumer items like chocolates, biscuits, and cosmetics, while gaining better access for its textiles, footwear, gems and jewelry, sports gear, and toys.

Tariffs on Scotch whisky will drop immediately from 150% to 75%, then to 40% by 2035.

For cars, India will cut import duties to 10% over five years—from the current up to 110%—via a phased quota system.

In exchange, Indian makers of electric and hybrid vehicles will enter the U.K. market under a quota arrangement.