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India-UK trade deal takes effect July 15 with duty-free autos and whisky access

India-UK FTA from July 15: What changes for autos, whisky, exports and consumersIndia-UK FTA takes effect: Govt calls it India's most ambitious trade deal, highlights key benefits

India and the United Kingdom implemented the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement on July 15, 2026, granting duty-free access for automobiles and whisky.

Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal hailed it as India's most ambitious trade pact, extending to digital trade and innovation. This agreement marks a significant step in strengthening economic ties between the two nations.

  • The UK was India's sixth-largest trading partner in 2025, with bilateral trade exceeding $20 billion.
  • Indian whisky exports to the UK grew by 15% annually between 2020 and 2025.
  • The agreement includes provisions for gender equality and environmental protection in trade practices.
India-UK trade deal takes effect July 15 with duty-free autos and whisky access | Implica