Chronology of Key Developments Leading to the Conclusion of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement

India and the United Kingdom have finalised negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA). This significant development was announced on May 6, 2025. The FTA discussions also included the Double Contribution Convention pact, marking a milestone in the trade relations between the two nations.

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The journey towards this agreement began on May 4, 2021. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and then UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson initiated an Enhanced Trade Partnership (ETP). This partnership aimed to unlock trade potential between India and the UK. They agreed on a roadmap to negotiate a comprehensive and balanced FTA.

Trade Negotiations Begin

On January 13, 2022, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal launched the FTA negotiations with the UK. He was joined by Anne-Marie Trevelyan, then UK Secretary of State for International Trade, in New Delhi. Both sides agreed to start the first round of negotiations from January 17 to January 28 and planned future rounds every five weeks.

Between January 2022 and January 2025, officials from both countries conducted 14 rounds of negotiations. These discussions aimed to address various aspects of the trade agreement. However, in March 2024, negotiations paused due to Indian general elections. Both parties decided to resume talks after the elections concluded.

Resumption of Talks

In February 2025, Piyush Goyal and UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds announced the resumption of negotiations. This came after an eight-month hiatus due to elections in Britain. The renewed discussions aimed to finalise the pending issues in the FTA.

Goyal travelled to London on April 28, 2025, for further talks with his UK counterpart Jonathan Reynolds. They continued their discussions on May 2, 2025, focusing on resolving outstanding matters related to the FTA.

The conclusion of these negotiations marks a new chapter in India-UK trade relations. The FTA is expected to enhance economic cooperation between the two countries significantly. It reflects their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties through increased trade and investment opportunities.

With inputs from PTI