Piyush Goyal, India's Minister of Commerce and Industry, will travel to London for a bilateral visit ahead of the entry into force of the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the Double Contribution Convention (DCC), according to the Commerce Ministry. During the visit, Goyal will hold a bilateral meeting with UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade Peter Kyle, with discussions focusing on operationalising the two agreements and further strengthening economic ties between India and the UK.
Visit Details and Bilateral Talks
According to the Commerce Ministry, the two ministers will discuss aligning regulatory roadmaps, streamlining customs coordination and finalising administrative mechanisms for the smooth implementation of CETA and the DCC. The talks will also review preparedness for CETA's tariff liberalisation commitments, which are expected to provide greater market access for Indian exports in the UK. Discussions on the Double Contribution Convention will centre on establishing a mechanism to address dual social security contribution requirements for eligible temporary workers, facilitating greater mobility of professionals and businesses.
Goyal will also address the opening plenary session of the India Global Forum on the theme "Capital, Innovation and the UK-India Moment," where discussions will focus on business opportunities arising from the implementation of the India-UK trade agreement.
Business Engagements and Investment Discussions
The minister is scheduled to hold separate meetings with senior executives of HSBC Global Trade Solutions and Rolls-Royce to discuss strategic investments, industrial collaboration and expanding manufacturing partnerships in India, the Commerce Ministry reported.
Goyal will also participate in a business plenary session and interactive luncheon organised by the UK-India Business Council, where C-suite executives from companies including Tata, TCS, HSBC, Prudential, De Beers and Baker McKenzie will discuss opportunities for trade, investment and business collaboration under the India-UK economic partnership.
In addition, according to the ministry, he will lead a roundtable hosted by Asia House with senior executives from global financial and industrial institutions, including J.P. Morgan, Standard Chartered, Lloyds, Morgan Stanley and Arup, to discuss India's industrial competitiveness, investment climate and integration into global supply chains.
The visit will conclude with interactions with an Indian industry delegation, members of the British-Indian business community and representatives of global education groups, including GEDU.
India-UK Trade Targets and Implementation
"The visit underscores India's commitment to engaging with global businesses and investors and is expected to contribute to the shared objective of expanding India-UK economic cooperation and advancing the target of achieving USD 120 billion in bilateral trade by 2030," the Commerce Ministry said.
The visit comes as India and the UK prepare to bring CETA and the Double Contribution Convention into force. The agreements are expected to deepen bilateral trade and investment flows, with Indian exporters gaining preferential market access under CETA’s tariff liberalisation schedule. The DCC mechanism is designed to resolve dual social security contribution obligations for temporary workers, enhancing professional mobility between the two economies. For importers and exporters, the operationalisation of CETA will mean clearer customs procedures and reduced tariff barriers, while businesses in sectors such as financial services, manufacturing, and education stand to benefit from the expanded partnership outlined during Goyal's engagements with UK-based multinationals and industry bodies.
