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Key Points

The India-UK Free Trade Agreement is being celebrated as a major economic milestone. Harsh Pati Singhania of JK Paper highlights its potential to grow businesses and ease tax burdens for professionals. The deal offers unprecedented market access for Indian exports and services. Both nations aim to double bilateral trade to $112 billion by 2030.

Key Points: JK Paper CMD Harsh Pati Singhania Hails India-UK FTA as Business Booster

  • India-UK FTA to boost bilateral trade targeting $112B by 2030
  • Duty-free access for 99% of Indian exports to UK
  • Simplified visas for professionals like engineers and chefs
  • Benefits labour-intensive sectors like textiles and gems
3 min read

India-UK FTA a big step forward, will help businesses grow: JK Paper CMD Harsh Pati Singhania

JK Paper CMD calls India-UK FTA a milestone for trade growth, easing taxes for professionals and expanding market access for businesses.

"UK products will get access in our Indian markets and our Indian products will get access in the UK Markets. This will help our businesses grow and increase our confidence. - Harsh Pati Singhania"

New Delhi, July 29

Welcoming the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), Harsh Pati Singhania, Chairman and Managing Director of JK Paper, has said it is a big step forward for businesses and strengthens economic ties between the two countries.

He said the deal will boost business growth, enhance confidence among Indian companies, and bring relief to Indian professionals working in the UK by addressing issues related to the social service tax.

"UK products will get access in our Indian markets and our Indian products will get access in the UK Markets. This will help our businesses grow and increase our confidence. Another significant thing is that the people who go to work in the UK for 2-3 years will not suffer anymore because of the social service tax. It is a very big step forward," Singhania said.

India and the United Kingdom took a big step last week in building a stronger economic partnership with the signing of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).

The agreement was signed by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Jonathan Reynolds in the presence of the two Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his UK counterpart Keir Starmer

The FTA marks a significant milestone in India's engagement with major developed economies and reflects a shared commitment to strengthening economic integration. As the world's fourth and sixth largest economies respectively, India and the UK's bilateral engagement holds global economic significance. The signing of the India-UK CETA follows the successful conclusion of negotiations announced on 6th May 2025. The bilateral trade between the two countries stand at nearly USD 56 billion, with a joint goal to double this figure by 2030.

CETA secures unprecedented duty-free access for 99% of India's exports to the UK, covering nearly the entire trade basket. This is expected to open new opportunities for labour-intensive industries such as textiles, marine products, leather, footwear, sports goods, toys, and gems and jewellery, alongside fast-growing sectors like engineering goods, auto components, and organic chemicals.

The services sector, a strong driver of India's economy, will also see wide-ranging benefits. The agreement provides greater market access in IT and IT-enabled services, financial and legal services, professional and educational services, and digital trade. Indian professionals, including those deployed by companies to work in UK across all services sectors, professionals deployed on contracts such as architects, engineers, chefs, yoga instructors, and musicians, will benefit from simplified visa procedures and liberalised entry categories, making it easier for talent to work in the UK.

The two countries had in May announced the successful conclusion of a mutually beneficial FTA.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
As an IT professional who worked in London, the social service tax relief is a game-changer! Used to lose nearly 15% of salary to this. Now more Indians will consider UK assignments without worrying about unfair deductions. Well done Modi ji and team!
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Aman W
While this seems positive, I hope our domestic industries are protected. UK companies might flood our markets with cheaper products. The government must ensure this doesn't become another East India Company situation in reverse! 🤔
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Sarah B
The yoga instructor visa provision is interesting! As a British yoga enthusiast, I'm excited to learn from authentic Indian teachers. This cultural exchange is as valuable as the economic benefits. Namaste 🙏
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Karthik V
₹56 billion trade is peanuts compared to our potential. With proper implementation, we can easily cross ₹100 billion. Our leather industry in Chennai is already preparing expansion plans. Jai Hind!
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Nisha Z
Hope this means better Scotch whisky prices! 😄 On serious note, good to see mutual benefits. But wish they had included more agricultural products - our farmers could have gained more from this deal.

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