India's Top Export Winners Under UK Trade Pact
ECONOMY & POLICY

India's Top Export Winners Under UK Trade Pact

The India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement came into force on July 15 and a Global Trade Research Institute report identified garments, automobiles, textiles, processed foods and seafood as sectors best placed to unlock new export opportunities. The report noted that India remains a relatively small supplier to the United Kingdom, with the UK importing $928.9 billion (bn) of goods globally in 2025 but only $15.2 bn from India, representing one point six per cent of UK imports.

Garments were singled out for the highest potential: India supplied $1.3 bn, or six point one per cent, of UK garment imports in 2025 and the UK already accounts for eight per cent of India's global garment shipments. Textiles, leather and footwear also present prospects, while processed foods such as ready-to-eat meals, bakery items and sauces offer growth if sanitary and traceability standards are met.

The report highlighted cereals, vegetables, fruits, spices and seafood as areas with import demand but noted exporters will need to satisfy stringent food-safety norms. Processed foods were measured against the United Kingdom's $33.4 bn import market, where India held a one point one per cent share.

Automobiles, motorcycles and auto components were identified as sizeable long-term opportunities given the United Kingdom's large vehicle market, in which India currently has only zero point four per cent penetration. Machinery, electronics and fabricated metal products could expand through deeper supply-chain integration but progress will hinge on technology, certification and quality standards rather than tariffs alone.

GTRI advised that the largest gains would come where India's export strengths align with robust UK demand and meaningful tariff reductions under CETA, and recommended a sector-specific export strategy with parallel work on standards, certification, logistics and buyer networks. Chemicals and pharmaceuticals were described as medium potential while iron and steel, ores and petroleum were seen as having limited upside because of structural barriers and carbon-related costs.

The India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement came into force on July 15 and a Global Trade Research Institute report identified garments, automobiles, textiles, processed foods and seafood as sectors best placed to unlock new export opportunities. The report noted that India remains a relatively small supplier to the United Kingdom, with the UK importing $928.9 billion (bn) of goods globally in 2025 but only $15.2 bn from India, representing one point six per cent of UK imports. Garments were singled out for the highest potential: India supplied $1.3 bn, or six point one per cent, of UK garment imports in 2025 and the UK already accounts for eight per cent of India's global garment shipments. Textiles, leather and footwear also present prospects, while processed foods such as ready-to-eat meals, bakery items and sauces offer growth if sanitary and traceability standards are met. The report highlighted cereals, vegetables, fruits, spices and seafood as areas with import demand but noted exporters will need to satisfy stringent food-safety norms. Processed foods were measured against the United Kingdom's $33.4 bn import market, where India held a one point one per cent share. Automobiles, motorcycles and auto components were identified as sizeable long-term opportunities given the United Kingdom's large vehicle market, in which India currently has only zero point four per cent penetration. Machinery, electronics and fabricated metal products could expand through deeper supply-chain integration but progress will hinge on technology, certification and quality standards rather than tariffs alone. GTRI advised that the largest gains would come where India's export strengths align with robust UK demand and meaningful tariff reductions under CETA, and recommended a sector-specific export strategy with parallel work on standards, certification, logistics and buyer networks. Chemicals and pharmaceuticals were described as medium potential while iron and steel, ores and petroleum were seen as having limited upside because of structural barriers and carbon-related costs.

Related Stories

Gold Stories

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

NABARD, NaBFID Partner to Fund Rural Infrastructure

The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) and the National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on financing infrastructure projects with significant rural impact.The partnership combines NABARD’s expertise in rural and agricultural infrastructure with NaBFID’s specialised infrastructure financing capabilities. It will focus on joint financing, knowledge sharing and developing financing solutions to improve access to long-term, competitively priced capital for rural infrastructure an..

Next Story
Infrastructure Energy

Advait Energy Wins Rs 1.34 Billion MPPTCL Order

Advait Energy Transitions (AETL) has secured a Rs 1.34 billion turnkey contract from Madhya Pradesh Power Transmission Co. Ltd. (MPPTCL) for the design, manufacturing and supply of Emergency Restoration Systems (ERS) for 400kV, 220kV and 132kV EHV transmission lines.The order, received against Tender No. TR-23/2025 on August 25, 2026, will be executed over 18 months. The contract value, inclusive of taxes, covers the complete ERS along with the required accessories.Emergency Restoration Systems are used to restore transmission infrastructure following disruptions, helping maintain continuity a..

Next Story
Real Estate

Gradiant expands Coimbatore engineering centre

Gradiant has expanded its Global Engineering Center (GEC) in Coimbatore, more than doubling its engineering workforce from approximately 100 to over 200 professionals as it strengthens its global project execution capabilities.The expanded centre will bring together multidisciplinary expertise across process engineering, detailed design and project engineering, enabling the India team to take on greater responsibility for the engineering and design of Gradiant’s international projects.According to Govind Alagappan, COO, Gradiant, Coimbatore’s engineering talent and industrial heritage make..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement