The India-UK free trade pact, awaiting operationalisation, has hit a snag due to Britain’s recent steel safeguard measures that affect Indian exports. But the two sides are working on a “unique and creative solution” for early operationalisation, senior officials said.
India-UK trade pact nears operationalisation amid hurdles
“We are very near to operationalising that (the free trade pact). There are a few sticking points, as you are aware. The UK has come ahead with a steel measure recently, which was not factored in while negotiating the India-UK deal. We are working together to find a unique, creative solution around the steel measure also so that we can operationalise the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) at an early date,” he told reporters on Friday.
The India-UK CETA was signed in July 2025 and has been awaiting ratification.
UK steel safeguards create trade friction
