Archive · 27 Jul 2025
India, UK to Resolve Trade Barriers in New FTA
India and the UK are working together to make it easier to trade food and farm products.
They've created a special group to solve problems with safety rules, like making sure food is safe to eat.
India can now send more products to the UK without paying taxes, which should help Indian farmers.
This change will help speed up trade, making things quicker and cheaper for everyone.
India and the UK established a subcommittee on sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures within their FTA.
The subcommittee aims to address regulatory barriers in agricultural and food trade.
India gains duty-free access to over 95% of UK's agricultural imports.
Indian agri and processed food exports to the UK are projected to increase by over 50% in three years.
The subcommittee's first meeting is expected within a year of the FTA's entry into force.
- Who
- India and the UK.
- What
- A subcommittee on sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures established under the India-UK FTA.
- When
- The first meeting is expected within a year of the FTA's entry into force.
- Where
- UK and India.
- Why
- To address regulatory barriers in agricultural and food trade.
Advocates
Experts
Benefits of SPS framework
Advocates
The introduction of the new SPS framework is a welcome step and would go a long way in boosting agricultural exports. It helps address long-standing challenges such as inspection delays and shipment rejections. Mutual recognition of certifications will simplify processes and reduce compliance-related costs.
Experts
N/A
Need for a focused approach
Advocates
Progress is likely to be slow, so the two sides should prioritize their top 100 agricultural export items and commit to a clear timeline for resolving SPS issues.
Experts
N/A
- Agreement
- India-UK FTA
- Focus
- SPS Measures
- Purpose
- Address regulatory barriers
- Duty-Free Access
- India to UK (over 95% agricultural imports)
- Projected Export Increase
- Over 50% in three years
