The India Desk is your trusted partner for unlocking growth, building partnerships, and navigating opportunities across two of the world’s most dynamic economies.
With deep expertise in trade and inward investment, our specialists provide the insights, connections, and end-to-end support you need to succeed in India or the UK. Whether you are a UK business expanding into India, or an Indian investor establishing in the UK, the India Desk is here to guide your journey.
Why India
India is one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies, with a vibrant business ecosystem and unparalleled opportunities across multiple sectors.
India is not just one of the fastest-growing economies — it is a hub of innovation and industry. With a young, skilled population and ambitious reforms, India offers UK businesses and investors a wealth of opportunities in key growth sectors.
Our Services – Specialist Support
The India Desk provides practical, hands-on support to help businesses and investors navigate opportunities with confidence.
Our Services Include:
Key Sectors for UK–India Collaboration
Stay Informed with the Latest Market Insights
Our India Desk curates resources to keep you ahead of the curve. From government reports to sector insights, we provide the knowledge you need to make informed decisions.
Featured Resources:
- UK Government Press Release: UK–India Trade Deal (July 2025)
- India–UK Trade Deal Collection
- Inward Investment Key Sector page
- UK–India Trade Deal: official collection and treaty information
- UK–India trade agreement guidance for businesses
- Tariffs and customs guidance
- Rules of origin and authentication process
- Register with HMRC to complete origin declarations
- Government procurement opportunities in India
- Latest India trade and investment factsheet – 2026
Check back often for updates, insights, and practical guides.
UK–India Free Trade Agreement
The UK–India Free Trade Agreement, also known as the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, entered into force on 15 July 2026.
The agreement makes it easier for UK and Indian businesses to trade by reducing tariffs, simplifying customs procedures, strengthening digital trade arrangements and providing clearer rules for companies operating across the two markets.
Total trade in goods and services between the UK and India reached £47.9 billion in the four quarters to the end of Q4 2025, highlighting the scale and continued growth of this important economic relationship.
What does the agreement mean for businesses?
India will remove or reduce tariffs on 90% of its tariff lines for UK products. Around 64% of products covered by the agreement become duty-free immediately, with further tariff reductions being introduced over agreed implementation periods.
Sectors that may benefit include:
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Tariff reductions vary by product. Businesses should check the commodity code, tariff schedule and applicable rule of origin before agreeing prices or submitting a customs declaration.
The agreement introduces measures intended to make customs processes more efficient and predictable. These include greater use of digital systems, advance customs rulings and commitments to reduce unnecessary delays at the border.
Where all relevant requirements have been satisfied, UK and Indian customs authorities will endeavour to release goods from customs control within 48 hours.
The agreement provides greater certainty for companies supplying services between the UK and India, including businesses operating in:
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The agreement’s digital trade provisions support electronic contracts, electronic authentication and paperless trading processes.
Qualifying UK suppliers can compete for covered Indian central government procurement contracts under clearer and more transparent rules.
The covered procurement market is estimated to be worth approximately £38 billion annually, creating potential opportunities for UK businesses supplying goods, professional services, technology, infrastructure and specialist expertise.
Businesses must still meet the eligibility, local-content, registration and tender requirements associated with each procurement opportunity.
The agreement provides greater certainty for defined categories of temporary business travel, including:
- business visitors attending meetings or negotiating contracts;
- senior or specialist employees transferring between UK and Indian operations;
- graduate trainees;
- investors establishing or managing an operation; and
- certain contractual service suppliers and independent professionals.
The agreement does not introduce visa-free travel or remove immigration requirements. Travellers must continue to comply with applicable visa, sponsorship, salary, qualification and permitted-activity rules.
How to Benefit from Preferential Tariffs
Reduced tariffs are not applied automatically. Exporters and importers should complete the following checks before making a preferential tariff claim:
For UK exports to India, the Indian importer normally makes the preferential tariff claim when the goods are cleared through Indian customs. The exporter must ensure that the origin declaration has been properly authenticated before the claim is made.
How the India Desk can support your business
The Thames Valley Chamber’s India Desk can help businesses understand and take advantage of the opportunities created by the agreement.
Our support includes:
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Contact the India Desk to discuss how the UK–India Free Trade Agreement could support your trade, investment or international growth plans.