Search

Shopping cart

Saved articles

You have not yet added any article to your bookmarks!

Browse articles
Newsletter image

Subscribe to the Newsletter

Join 10k+ people to get notified about new posts, news and tips.

Do not worry we don't spam!

GDPR Compliance

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, Privacy Policy, and Terms of Service.

What's in the UK-India trade deal?

Many grand adjectives have been used to describe the UK and India's trade deal and its impact on the respective economies.

The Indian government said it was "the most comprehensive free trade deal" it had ever entered into, with "an unprecedented achievement" for Indian migrant workers, while the UK has described it as a "huge economic win". It's also the most significant trade deal Britain has negotiated since Brexit.

But what's actually in it? The text hasn't been published with the agreement yet to be signed by leaders Sir Keir Starmer and Narendra Modi. It can take up to a year for such an agreement to receive parliamentary approval.

So, we have to take the word of the two governments. Tax falls on UK and Indian goods A key component is the reduction of tariffs.

India is a pretty protectionist state, with taxes around 130% on some goods it imports. As a result, it's the Indians making the steepest tariff reductions.

That means UK-made items are likely to be cheaper on Indian shelves and more competitive as a result. Money: Interest rate decision delayed...

by two minutes Goods to benefit from tariff falls include whisky and gin, which will see their import tax halved from 150% to 75% and then reduced to 40% by year 10 of the deal, the UK government said. There'll be quotas on UK car exports to India and vice versa, but tariffs on those cars and parts will drop from more than 100% to 10%.

Indian consumers can expect to buy cheaper UK-manufactured cosmetics, medical devices, aerospace items, lamb, salmon, electrical machinery, soft drinks, chocolate, and biscuits as these items will be subject to cut-price tariffs under the deal, the UK Department for Business and Trade said. The UK, too, will bring down its import taxes on things like textiles, though the typical rate is only 5%.

Many tariffs on Indian imports to the UK, like textiles, will be wiped out altogether, while others will gradually be lowered. India said the agreement will open up export opportunities for its sectors like marine products, leather, footwear, sports goods, toys, gems and jewellery, engineering goods, auto parts, and organic chemicals.

A brewing row The major British concession is around new benefits for Indian workers in the UK. Both UK workers in India and Indian workers in the UK will only pay tax in their country of origin rather than the one they're living in, under the agreement.

Indian workers transferred to the UK - and their employers - won't have to pay national insurance contributions for three years. Politics latest: Farage brands UK-India trade deal 'an incredible betrayal' While the UK government said there was no change to its immigration policy, the Indian government said the agreement "eases mobility" for professionals, including investors, people transferring to the UK within their company and their partners and children, and independent professionals like yoga instructors, musicians and chefs.

"Immense opportunities" for talented and skilled Indian youth will open up in the UK, the Indian government said. What else? Exporting to India from the UK will be "easier than ever before.

Prev Article
Tech Innovations Reshaping the Retail Landscape: AI Payments
Next Article
The Rise of AI-Powered Personal Assistants: How They Manage

Related to this topic:

Comments

By - Tnews 06 May 2025 5 Mins Read
Email : 239

Related Post