India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA) has hailed the India–UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) as a transformative milestone that will shape the future of the Indian electronics manufacturing sector and partnerships with GVCs. The landmark agreement marks the first comprehensive trade pact between India and the United Kingdom and is set to double bilateral trade from $60 billion to $120 billion by 2030, with India’s exports gaining unprecedented market access in the United Kingdom.
Under the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India has reaffirmed its capability to negotiate equitable and forward-looking global trade frameworks that accelerate growth, innovation, and economic collaboration. The agreement eliminates tariffs on 99% of Indian exports, expanding special access to domestically manufactured electronics, engineering goods, auto components, IT services and more.
The FTA eases the employment opportunities for Indian professionals including Contractual Service Suppliers, Business Visitors, Intra-Corporate Transferees and dependent children of Intra-Corporate Transferees with right to work.
It empowers MSMEs, startups, and professionals by strengthening their participation in global value chains. The inclusion of a three-year exemption from social security contributions for Indian professionals working in the UK is especially progressive, enabling greater earnings and mobility for India’s skilled workforce, particularly in the IT and services sectors.
As India’s role as “Vishwa Mitra – Trusted Partner of the World” continues to expand, the India–UK FTA stands as a model for how democratic nations can co-create resilient supply chains, promote sustainable development, and generate high-quality employment.
Mr. Pankaj Mohindroo, Chairman, ICEA, stated: “The India–UK FTA is a strategic leap to a new era of economic ties and opportunities for Indian companies to better access international markets and work with UK-based GVCs. It represents India’s growing maturity and confidence in shaping future-ready, innovation-driven trade partnerships that will benefit the people-to-people ties as well. This agreement will be beneficial for industries across the board, including the electronics sector.”
“Today, the UK imports $76 billion of electronics goods from various geographies and a mere $2 billion from India. This FTA will facilitate export opportunities for the Indian electronics industry to have a major share of UK’s electronics imports, helping India move swiftly towards its electronics export target of $180–200 billion by 2031,” he added.
ICEA also extends its appreciation to Hon’ble Commerce & Industry Minister Shri Piyush Goyal and his team for their relentless and strategic negotiations in bringing this visionary agreement to fruition.
The India–UK FTA reaffirms India’s place on the world stage as a confident, capable, and committed partner in building a more prosperous and resilient global economy.
