Starmer, Modi Ink £6bn Deal Boosting UK-India Trade
Speaking at the signing ceremony at Chequers, the UK Prime Minister described the agreement as "the biggest and most economically significant trade deal Britain has made since Brexit."
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have signed a landmark free trade agreement, promising a multi-billion-pound boost to exports and economic collaboration between the two nations.
Under the deal, UK cars and whisky will become cheaper to export to India, while Indian textiles and jewellery will enjoy lower costs when entering the UK market. The agreement, three years in the making, also includes a new joint plan to combat illegal migration.
Addressing concerns that the deal might undercut British workers, UK Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds dismissed these claims, emphasizing that Indian workers on temporary secondment to the UK will receive protections similar to those offered to workers from other countries.
Speaking at the signing ceremony at Chequers, the UK Prime Minister described the agreement as "the biggest and most economically significant trade deal Britain has made since Brexit."
“This deal is now signed, sealed, delivered,” Sir Keir said. “It sends a powerful message that Britain is open for business, generating huge confidence.”
The agreement is expected to create more than 2,200 jobs across the UK, as Indian companies expand their presence and British businesses gain new access to India’s growing market.
Sir Keir also highlighted that the deal is only one part of a broader partnership, underscoring the deep historical, cultural, and familial ties between the UK and India.
Modi called the deal “a blueprint for our shared prosperity,” noting enhanced market access for Indian textiles, footwear, gems, seafood, and engineering goods in the UK, while Indian consumers and industries will benefit from affordable access to UK products like medical devices and aerospace components.
