UK, India Sign Historic £6bn Trade Deal Boosting Jobs, Exports

India and the United Kingdom have signed a landmark Free Trade Agreement, finalized during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the UK and hailed by both leaders as a historic milestone in bilateral relations. The deal, which took over three years to negotiate, significantly reduces tariffs on goods such as British whisky, cars, textiles, and Indian jewellery, aiming to boost trade by billions and create over 22,000 jobs in the UK. Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the agreement as the largest and most economically important since Brexit, promising increased market access and economic growth across various sectors including aerospace, technology, and advanced manufacturing. Modi highlighted the deal as a blueprint for shared prosperity, with benefits expected for consumers and businesses on both sides, including lower prices for medical equipment, aircraft parts, and luxury goods. Beyond economics, the partnership addresses issues like illegal immigration and touches on broader cooperation, reflecting the deepening ties symbolized by cultural connections such as cricket and cuisine. The agreement is set to be implemented within about a year, marking the start of an anticipated 'golden era' in UK-India relations.