"Carefully crafted": Piyush Goyal asserts India-UK CETA will protect domestic interests
London, June 26
Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Piyush Goyal has dismissed concerns regarding potential economic drawbacks from the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, describing the pact as a carefully crafted framework that will benefit both nations.
Speaking at a business reception in London on Thursday, Minister Goyal emphasised that the agreement is designed to enhance economic growth and job creation without harming any domestic sectors.
The Minister stated that the agreement will provide "enablers" that assist both economies in improving their functional capabilities.
"What they will be adding to our economy will be enablers, which will actually help us do our job better for life. This agreement cannot hurt any sector in India. And likewise, I suspect this agreement will not hurt any sector in the UK also because it's been carefully crafted," the minister said.
He noted that the pact is expected to bolster new employment opportunities and drive business growth in India.
"They have a lot to offer us and we have a lot to offer them. What we will be offering them will add to our economy and particularly to jobs, particularly to new employment, to businesses," Goyal added.
The commerce minister noted that India changed its traditional approach to international trade negotiations. He stated that the country aims for comprehensive partnerships rather than limited, transactional trade concessions.
"Delighted to address a Business Reception with wide participation from business leaders & investors from both India & the UK. Spoke about how the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) will unlock immense opportunities for growth & prosperity on both sides. Urged them to leverage the full potential of this landmark agreement to deepen collaboration, boost trade & investment flows, and drive innovation across sectors," Goyal said on X.
Addressing the Annual UK-India Awards 2026 in London on Thursday, Goyal said, "India today does not wish to negotiate weak agreements, substandard small transactional relationships. In fact, the UK agreement is a very comprehensive template."
Goyal highlighted that the CETA goes beyond traditional trade negotiations focused solely on tariffs and rules of origin. Instead, the agreement encompasses a broad range of sectors. The pact fosters deep collaboration in technology, education, culture, and the arts.
"It's not only about tariffs and rules of origin. It's not only about traded goods and services. It's about collaborations in technology, in education, culture, and the arts," Goyal said.
Negotiators from both countries engaged in rigorous, line-by-line discussions to balance the interests and concerns of both nations. The Minister characterised the final text as "fair, equitable, and very balanced".
"It is focused on bringing the best of both countries to each other. It's a fair, equitable, very balanced agreement," the minister said.
Goyal noted that the agreement is intended to "unlock immense opportunities for growth & prosperity on both sides" and urged business leaders to leverage the pact to boost investment and innovation across sectors.
"We may have fought over every single line, over every single para. But in a spirit of fairness, a spirit of accommodation, very sensitive to each other's interests and concerns," Goyal added.
— ANI
Reader Comments
I'm cautiously optimistic. The UK has a lot of advanced tech and education expertise that could really benefit India. But let's wait and see the actual terms - promises of "no harm" sound good but details matter.
I hope this CETA isn't another case of developed countries taking advantage of our market. The minister says it's balanced, but historically such deals favor the stronger economy. Let the opposition examine it properly first.
Good to see India taking a more strategic approach to trade. The old model of just swapping tariff cuts was outdated. Including tech, education, and cultural collaboration makes this a 21st century agreement.
"Fought over every single line" - that's what we want to hear! Trade deals with the UK have always been tricky, but if they've truly balanced interests, this could be a game-changer for Indian exports and jobs. Let's hope the implementation matches the rhetoric.
I want to believe the minister, but we've heard similar assurances before. Remember the FTA with Japan? The devil is always in the implementation details. Still, it's positive that India is now pushing for comprehensive agreements rather than weak ones.
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