The UK-India Free Trade Agreement, signed in July this year, is a landmark moment in the bilateral relationship of both the countries. It opens new doors for Indian businesses across sectors, offering reduced tariffs, increased mobility and strategic collaboration. Bilateral trade is expected to increase by £25.5 billion every year in the long term, boosting GDP in both countries. This is the most extensive agreement that India has ever agreed, and it is the UK’s most ambitious agreement since leaving the EU. This was stated by Deputy High Commissioner to Gujarat and Rajasthan, British Deputy High Commission, Mr. Stephen Hickling while delivering the keynote address at the seminar on “India–United Kingdom Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement” held today in Jaipur. The event was organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) Rajasthan State Council, in collaboration with the Centre for Trade and Investment Law (CTIL). The seminar was themed on “Unlocking Rajasthan’s Export Potential”.
Highlighting the core economic gains from this agreement, Mr. Hickling further said that 99% of Indian exports to the UK will be duty free, boosting competitiveness in textiles, engineering, agriculture and pharmaceuticals. SMEs and startups will benefit from simplified compliance and better access to UK buyers and investors. Service professionals will enjoy smoother visa processes and exemptions from UK social security contributions for up to three years.
Additional Chief Secretary – Skills, Employment & Entrepreneurship, Government of Rajasthan, Mr. Sandeep Verma, while emphasizing the importance of skilling, highlighted the need to foster a continuous culture of dialogue among industry stakeholders to better understand the evolving skill requirements. He stressed that it is essential to prepare the workforce well in advance to align with global standards and expectations. Mr. Verma further added that academic and technical expertise, combined with education, knowledge advancement, and strong advocacy, are key to understanding international operations and effectively leveraging emerging business opportunities abroad.
Secretary of Sports & Youth Affairs, Government of Rajasthan, Dr. Niraj K. Pawan highlighted the immense potential that Rajasthan holds in the areas of sports and sports manufacturing. He suggested that universities from the United Kingdom could consider establishing outreach programmes or centres in Rajasthan, given that it is the largest state in India with abundant land and resources. Dr. Pawan emphasized the need to build a robust sports ecosystem encompassing sports education, research, and training, and noted that the Government of Rajasthan is actively working towards strengthening this framework to position the state as a hub for sports excellence and innovation. He also referred to the Government of India’s Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), which identifies and supports potential Olympic medal contenders through world-class coaching, scientific training, and financial assistance, ensuring that India’s top athletes have every opportunity to reach the podium at global sporting events.
Commissioner – Industries & Commerce, Government of Rajasthan, Mr. Rohit Gupta observed that Rajasthan is among the few states with a dedicated Export Promotion Policy, including the newly notified Rajasthan Export Promotion Policy, 2024, supplemented by sector-specific frameworks. He noted that the Rajasthan Investment Promotion Scheme (RIPS) and the One District One Product (ODOP) policy provide comprehensive support for enterprises looking to break into new markets. The ODOP initiative in particular identifies one unique product per district, helps with branding, value-chain improvement, infrastructure, and export promotion, while RIPS offers fiscal incentives and facilitation to promote investment and competitiveness.
Vice Chancellor of the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), Dr. Rakesh Mohan Joshi, described the trade agreement as a “game changer” that could reshape India’s export landscape. He stated that around 18–19% of India’s exports currently go to the US, and greater access to the UK market would diversify trade partnerships. Highlighting India’s growing strength as a global supplier, Dr. Joshi noted that the country contributes 40% of global grain exports, while Rajasthan recorded USD 7 billion in exports last year, led by gems, jewellery, and mica.
Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Trade and Investment Law (CTIL), Mr. Ridhish Rajvanshi, delivered the context-setting address, highlighting that the agreement could be a powerful enabler for Rajasthan’s industries, especially textiles and handicrafts. With the India–UK agreement coming into effect, Rajasthan will be able to export directly to the UK market without intermediaries or additional tariff barriers, allowing industries to grow and tap their full potential. He also pointed to strong export opportunities for processed foods, spices, oilseeds and paper industries under the Free Trade Agreement.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, Member of FICCI Rajasthan State Council & Chairman, Insolation Energy Ltd, Mr. Manish Gupta said that the Seminar has brought together different stakeholders to deliberate on the opportunities under the proposed agreement, market access, tariff liberalisation, compliance requirements and future roadmap for boosting Rajasthan’s trade and exports to United Kingdom. Member of FICCI Rajasthan State Council & Chairman, Dwarka Gems Ltd, Mr. K B Goyal delivered Vote of Thanks. The inaugural session was moderated by Director & Head, FICCI Rajasthan State Council, Mr. Atul Sharma.
The event concluded with a session on “India-UK CETA: Unlocking Rajasthan’s Export Potential”. It brought together experts to discuss Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures & Technical Barriers to Trade, Trade Remedies Advisory Cell of CTIL through presentations.
