India-UK FTA Likely To Be Signed By July-End; PM Keir Starmer Expected In Delhi—Profit Exclusive

The much-awaited India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is likely to be signed by the end of July, with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer expected to visit India for the formal signing ceremony, sources told NDTV Profit.

The visit is being planned as a high-level bilateral engagement to formally conclude over two years of intense negotiations. Talks were officially concluded on May 6, and both sides have since been involved in legal scrubbing and internal clearances.

“The legal vetting process has taken close to three months, and both countries are now aligning calendars for the formal signing,” a senior official said.

This would be Starmer’s first official visit to India as UK Prime Minister and is expected to carry both diplomatic and economic significance, with the FTA forming a central pillar of India-UK cooperation under the 2030 Roadmap.

The agreement is expected to boost market access, reduce tariffs, and include provisions for mutual recognition of qualifications, mobility of professionals, and a Double Social Security Contribution Agreement, a longstanding demand from India.

However, the deal will still take about a year to be operationalised, given the lengthy ratification process in the UK.

The India-UK FTA is part of New Delhi’s broader push to finalise high-value trade deals with complementary economies, following recent agreements with the UAE and EFTA.