Experts have urged the Indian government to upgrade product standards and align with UK regulatory requirements to fully leverage the potential of the impending UK-India Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). The call comes as the UK Department for Business and Trade has kicked off a nationwide free trade agreement roadshow across six cities to prepare British businesses for the agreement's entry into force, according to a report by ANI.
Standards and Regulatory Alignment
Rudra Kumar Pandey, Partner at law firm SAM & Co, stated that Indian exporters will need to upgrade product standards and align with UK regulatory requirements to become reliable supply chain partners, not just one-off suppliers. The emphasis on standards upgrade is critical for Indian industry to integrate into UK supply chains and sustain long-term trade relationships under the CETA framework.
UK Roadshow and Indian Outreach
The UK Department for Business and Trade has already launched a nationwide free trade agreement roadshow this week across six cities, aimed at preparing British businesses for the CETA's entry into force. Experts noted that a comparable effort is needed on the Indian side. Pandey said, "A comparable effort is needed on the Indian side, with CETA-specific outreach export-readiness programmes in manufacturing clusters across the country that can help businesses convert the agreement's potential into actual commercial activity." The experts also said that the government should conduct an outreach programme in different parts of India to inform the domestic industry about the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between the two countries.
Education Recognition and Broader Implications
Beyond trade, the UK-India trade deal has also been noted for recognising education as a core pillar of strategic ties. The National Education Policy (NEP) of India is highlighted as getting a global push through this recognition, indicating that the agreement extends beyond merchandise trade to include services and cooperation in human capital development.
Expert Recommendations
- Indian exporters must prioritise upgrading product standards to meet UK regulatory requirements.
- The Indian government should launch CETA-specific outreach and export-readiness programmes in manufacturing clusters across the country.
- A nationwide roadshow similar to the UK initiative would help convert the agreement's potential into actual commercial activity.
The CETA between the UK and India, once in force, is expected to significantly enhance bilateral trade volumes, though specific tariff reductions and effective dates were not detailed in the source article. For importers, exporters, trade policy professionals, and customs brokers on both sides, the alignment of standards and regulatory harmonisation will be key to navigating the new trade landscape.
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