India and UK Review CETA Progress at WTO Ministerial

31 Mar 2026 CW Team

Goyal noted that India has completed all internal approvals and ratification processes for the India-United Kingdom free trade agreement, and Kyle reported that the United Kingdom has completed parliamentary approval. Both sides expressed anticipation of the entry into force of CETA as per agreed timelines and discussed outreach measures to promote its utilisation by businesses across India. Plans were noted to organise business delegations and regional outreach activities including engagements in Scotland and Manchester.

Goyal extended an invitation to UK businesses to explore investment and partnership opportunities across sectors and regions in India including initiatives related to rural transformation. The ministers explored options for further enhancing bilateral trade and economic cooperation and identified areas for deeper collaboration. Both ministers agreed to continue high-level engagement to identify sectoral priorities and facilitate commercial linkages.

The two ministers agreed on the need to preserve inclusivity in evolving trade discussions within the WTO and to pursue progress on WTO reform. They also discussed maintaining the moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmission and the moratorium on non-violation and situation complaints under the Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). The ministers recorded mutual commitment to pursue these elements within multilateral frameworks while maintaining dialogue bilaterally.

On the sidelines of the 14th World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference in Yaounde, Cameroon, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal met the United Kingdom (UK) Secretary of State for Business and Trade Mr Peter J Kyle. The meeting saw both ministers exchange views on the MC-14 agenda and review progress on the implementation of the India-United Kingdom Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) signed in July 2025. The discussion reviewed implementation milestones and procedural steps toward ratification and operationalisation. Goyal noted that India has completed all internal approvals and ratification processes for the India-United Kingdom free trade agreement, and Kyle reported that the United Kingdom has completed parliamentary approval. Both sides expressed anticipation of the entry into force of CETA as per agreed timelines and discussed outreach measures to promote its utilisation by businesses across India. Plans were noted to organise business delegations and regional outreach activities including engagements in Scotland and Manchester. Goyal extended an invitation to UK businesses to explore investment and partnership opportunities across sectors and regions in India including initiatives related to rural transformation. The ministers explored options for further enhancing bilateral trade and economic cooperation and identified areas for deeper collaboration. Both ministers agreed to continue high-level engagement to identify sectoral priorities and facilitate commercial linkages. The two ministers agreed on the need to preserve inclusivity in evolving trade discussions within the WTO and to pursue progress on WTO reform. They also discussed maintaining the moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmission and the moratorium on non-violation and situation complaints under the Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). The ministers recorded mutual commitment to pursue these elements within multilateral frameworks while maintaining dialogue bilaterally.

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