According to industry estimates, the agreement will
eliminate tariffs on 99% of India’s exports, covering nearly 100% of
the trade value, thereby strengthening India’s export competitiveness in the UK
market. The pact is also expected to expand bilateral trade to USD 100
billion by 2030, creating significant opportunities across key sectors such
as automotive, engineering, textiles, leather, footwear, food products, and
manufacturing. Commenting on the
development, Manisha Malhotra, Vice
President – Freight Forwarding, Logistics, SCO (India), DP World, said: “The
landmark agreement is expected to significantly strengthen bilateral trade by
eliminating tariffs on 99% of India’s exports, covering almost 100% of the
trade value, thereby enhancing India’s export competitiveness. The agreement is
also expected to expand bilateral trade, attract investment, create new
opportunities for businesses, and boost bilateral trade to USD 100 billion by
2030. Trade agreements are often
measured by the tariffs they remove. Their true success, however, is determined
by the capabilities they unlock.
The UK–India Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement marks an important
shift in the trade relationship between two economies with complementary
strengths. Preferential access across sectors including automotive,
engineering, textiles, leather, footwear and food products has the potential to
accelerate India’s integration into higher-value global value chains. But
tariff concessions alone will not drive competitiveness. Businesses will need supply chains that are
agile, compliant, and connected. Meeting rules of origin requirements,
maintaining documentation integrity, navigating customs efficiently and
synchronising production with multimodal transport networks will become just as
critical as manufacturing excellence itself. At DP World, we are well positioned to
support this next phase of UK–India trade. Our globally integrated freight
forwarding network spans over 300 offices worldwide and is backed by owned
multimodal assets across India and more than 80 countries. Combined with
end-to-end digital visibility and strong local execution, these capabilities enable
us to help customers build more resilient, agile and efficient supply
chains—transforming preferential market access into reliable trade flows and
long-term growth.” The
agreement is expected to further deepen economic cooperation between India and
the United Kingdom by encouraging greater cross-border investments,
strengthening manufacturing competitiveness, and enabling Indian businesses to
integrate more effectively into global value chains. With
international trade becoming
increasingly dependent on speed, compliance, visibility, and multimodal
connectivity, logistics providers are expected to play a pivotal role in
helping exporters maximise the advantages offered by the new trade framework.
Industry observers believe that companies capable of delivering integrated
freight forwarding solutions, digital supply chain visibility, and seamless
multimodal logistics will be instrumental in translating the agreement’s tariff
benefits into sustainable trade growth.
As India prepares for the next phase of export-led expansion under the India–UK CETA, the focus is
expected to shift beyond market access towards creating efficient, resilient,
and technology-driven supply
chains that can support long-term bilateral trade growth and strengthen India’s
position in global commerce.