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India and the United Kingdom on Wednesday announced that the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) will become operational from July 15, marking a significant step in strengthening bilateral economic relations.
Alongside CETA, the Agreement on Social Security, known as the Double Contribution Convention (DCC), will also come into effect on the same date.
The move will likely enhance the mobility and competitiveness of Indian professionals working in the UK.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the development as a major milestone in bilateral ties.
A historic milestone for India-UK relations.
Delighted to note that the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement will enter into force on 15th July 2026.
This agreement will significantly boost our bilateral trade and investment.
It will also unlock numerous… pic.twitter.com/I0bMCjdtg4
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 17, 2026
According to the Commerce Ministry, the exemption period under the DCC has extended from three years to five years, providing substantial benefits to temporary Indian workers in the UK.
The foundation for the agreement was laid through the Enhanced Trade Partnership signed in May 2021 and the India-UK Roadmap 2030, which envisioned elevating bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and doubling trade to $100 billion by 2030.
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said, “The simultaneous enforcement of the CETA and the Double Contribution Convention on 15th July 2026 will open up significant new opportunities for India’s exports.”
The agreement grants immediate duty-free access to 99 per cent of India’s tariff lines, benefiting sectors such as textiles, leather, marine products, engineering goods and processed foods.
Comprising 30 chapters, CETA goes beyond conventional tariff reductions and includes provisions on digital trade, telecommunications, financial services, intellectual property and government procurement.
The Commerce Ministry said the agreement would bring a structural transformation to India’s global trade architecture while safeguarding sensitive sectors such as dairy products, cereals, millets, edible oils, oilseeds, apples and several vegetable products.
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