Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed Thursday as a “historic day” for India-UK relations as the two nations signed a landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA), dubbed the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), at Chequers, the UK Prime Minister’s country residence. Joined by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Modi witnessed the signing, which aims to double bilateral trade to £68 billion by 2030, cutting tariffs on 99% of Indian exports, including textiles, seafood, and engineering goods, and British whisky and cars.

“This pact, the UK’s most significant since Brexit, opens new opportunities for India’s youth, farmers, fishermen, and MSMEs,” Modi said, emphasizing enhanced market access for agricultural produce and processed foods. Starmer called it “economically the most significant trade deal” post-Brexit, projecting a £25.5 billion trade boost by 2040. The agreement, signed by Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and UK Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, counters global trade concerns amid Washington’s protectionist policies.

Modi thanked the UK for condemning the recent Pahalgam terror attack, stressing a united stance against terrorism and extremist ideologies. Both leaders agreed to deepen security cooperation, including on economic offender extradition. They also discussed Indo-Pacific stability, the Ukraine conflict, and West Asia, with Modi advocating for “developmentalism over expansionism” and respect for sovereignty.

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The leaders unveiled the ‘Vision 2035’ roadmap to strengthen the India-UK strategic partnership, focusing on technology, defense, and climate goals like India’s 500 GW non-fossil energy target. Modi condoled the loss of British citizens in last month’s Air India crash in Ahmedabad. Posts on X praised the FTA’s potential to boost Indian exports, though some raised concerns about balancing domestic agricultural interests.

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