Vivek Yadav, Partner, Management Consulting, Business Advisory at BDO India
“The India–UK FTA is a game-changer for businesses on both sides — zero-duty access for textiles, processed food and marine products puts Indian exporters on an equal footing with other competitors from the region, while halved whisky tariffs and reduced duties on speciality products mean that India’s discerning consumer will now have access to a far wider, more affordable range of global choices. Indian companies must move fast on compliance and brand presence before shelf space gets claimed; British brands need to go beyond metros and develop India specific strategies that connect to the fastest growing consumer bases in the world.”
Karthik Iyer, Partner – Indirect Tax, Tax & Regulatory Advisory at BDO India
“The operationalization of the India–UK Free Trade Agreement from 15 July 2026 marks a pivotal shift from negotiation to execution in one of India’s most comprehensive trade partnerships. From a trade standpoint, industry should focus on readiness around Rules of Origin, Customs Classification, Valuation, and Documentation to fully unlock tariff benefits. Key sectors likely to see immediate gains include Textiles, Leather, Gems & Jewellery on the export side, while Automobiles (under a quota system), Scotch whisky, and Premium Consumer Goods are notable import-side beneficiaries due to phased duty reductions. Going forward, businesses should treat this as a strategic inflection point by realigning supply chains, contracts, and compliance frameworks to capitalize on emerging trade opportunities.”