India UK Trade

Recent Trends and Developments

• On January 21, 2026, UK launched a new International Education Strategy that aims to grow British education exports to US$ 54.8 billion (£40 billion) annually by 2030, and has identified India as a key partner and priority country for expanding global education exports, international campus partnerships and broader education-sector cooperation.
• On January 2, 2026, the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) is expected to come into force in the first half of 2026, with the British envoy noting that the deal will provide Indian exporters improved duty-free market access and significantly boost trade between the two nations.
• On October 9, 2025, Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi and UK Prime Minister Mr. Keir Starmer met in Mumbai during Global Fintech Fest 2025, expressed satisfaction at the upward trajectory of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and reaffirmed commitment to strengthening economic collaboration, trade implementation and cooperation in technology, defence, education and regional stability.
• On July 24, 2025, India and UK signed the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), a landmark free trade pact designed to deepen economic integration, eliminate tariffs on nearly 99% of India’s exports to the UK, and create expanded market access for goods and services, marking a major milestone in bilateral economic ties.
• On July 24, 2025, India and the UK signed the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), granting duty-free access to 99% of India’s exports and targeting a doubling of bilateral trade in goods and services to US 120 billion by 2030.
• India and the UK launched Vision 2035 in London on July 24, 2025, to deepen cooperation across trade, technology, defence, climate, and education, reinforcing their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
• The University of Southampton will open India’s first UK branch campus in Gurugram in August 2025, followed by the University of York’s Mumbai campus in 2026-27, offering programmes in technology, business, economics, and creative industries with a strong research focus.
• On March 20, 2025, a delegation from the UK Skills and Chartered Bodies Mission visited Odisha to explore partnerships in vocational education and training. Key discussions with the State’s Skill Development and Technical Education department focused on introducing UK-style apprenticeships and boosting industry-led skilling in sectors such as advanced manufacturing, renewable energy, digital skills, and sustainable infrastructure.
• On February 10, 2025, during the Fourth India-UK Energy Dialogue in New Delhi, India and the United Kingdom launched Phase 2 of the ASPIRE programme to support round-the-clock power supply and accelerate industrial decarbonisation. The two countries also established a UK-India Offshore Wind Taskforce to advance offshore wind ecosystem development, supply chains, and financing models.
• On December 3, 2024, British International Investment committed US$ 33.5 million to India’s Electric Vehicle (EV) sector, funding Everest Fleet, TI Clean Mobility, and Vecmocon, taking its total EV investments in India to US$ 328 million.
• On November 28, 2024, India and the UK signed a pact in Portsmouth to co-develop electric propulsion systems for Indian warships, advancing maritime technology and supporting the 2030 Roadmap.
• The UK is boosting defence ties with India ahead of its 2025 Carrier Strike Group deployment, with August 2024 talks covering leadership, cyber, AI, and strategic cooperation under the 2030 India-UK Roadmap.