Topic
trade agreement
Regulations & Compliance India's WTO Fisheries Subsidy Agreement Ratification Sparks Concern Among Traditional Fishermen
India formally ratified the WTO Fisheries Subsidy Agreement on July 20, 2026, becoming the 123rd member. Fisherfolk groups in Kerala, including KADAL and the Kerala Fishermen Coordination Committee, have raised strong objections, warning that implementation could threaten the livelihoods of millions of traditional fishermen who rely on government subsidies for survival. They argue that developed countries provide far larger subsidies per worker, and that India's fishing communities, 68% of whom live below the poverty line, need continued support.
Trade UK Trade Deal: India Invites Applications for Car Import Quota Under CETA
India's DGFT has invited applications for the Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) for importing 0.378 million conventional-engine passenger cars from the UK at a concessional 10% customs duty, down from 110%, under the India-UK CETA. The application window runs from July 21 to August 4, 2026.
Regulations & Compliance India Joins WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement to Support Sustainable Fishing
On July 20, 2026, India formally joined the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies (AFS), prohibiting government support for illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing and overfished stocks. The agreement, effective since September 15, 2025, is the first multilateral WTO pact with an environmental sustainability objective, protecting small-scale fishers and disciplining subsidies for large industrial fleets.
Trade India Exports $140 Million in Duty-Free Goods on Day One of UK Trade Pact
India exported $140 million worth of goods at zero duty on the first day of the UK-India Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA). The pact grants duty-free access to nearly 99% of Indian exports. Key sectors include leather, textiles, gems, and electronics. The government procurement chapter opens a GBP 90 billion UK market to Indian suppliers, with safeguards for MSMEs.
Trade India-UK CETA Comes Into Force, Delivering Zero-Duty Access for Nearly 99% of Indian Exports
The India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the concurrent Social Security Agreement entered into force on July 15, 2026. The pact provides zero-duty market access for nearly 99% of India's exports, covering almost 100% of trade value, and eliminates tariffs on labour-intensive sectors such as textiles, leather, gems and jewellery, and engineering goods. The Social Security Agreement exempts temporary Indian workers from UK National Insurance contributions for up to five years, benefiting over 75,000 professionals and 900 companies.
Trade India-UK Trade Pact Comes into Force on Wednesday; Bilateral Trade to Hit USD 100 bn by 2030
The India-UK comprehensive economic and trade agreement comes into force on July 15, 2026. Bilateral trade in goods and services is currently about USD 55-60 billion, with a target of USD 100 billion in 3-4 years. Key features include zero-duty entry for Indian textiles, leather, footwear, gems and jewellery and plastics; stringent rules of origin for silver imports; and the Double Contribution Convention benefiting over 75,000 Indian workers.
Trade USMCA Renewal: Why the Expected Fight Over North American Trade Deal Never Kicked Off
This article explains why the anticipated political battle over the USMCA renewal did not materialize. The war with Iran absorbed the White House's focus, while the US administration believes its tariff strategy has already rebalanced North American trade relations. Formal talks with Mexico and Canada are proceeding without drama, and a 10-year countdown to expiry has begun.
Trade India pushes to upgrade ASEAN FTA, advances talks on CECA with Australia
India is pushing to upgrade the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) through a multilateral review process, while also advancing negotiations on a balanced Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) with Australia. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Indonesia, Australia, and New Zealand in July 2026 to bolster bilateral ties.
Trade India waives customs duty, IGST on imported animals under UK trade pact from July 15
India has announced a customs duty and IGST waiver on imported animals used in shows and public functions, effective July 15, under its trade pact with the UK. The notification from CBIC requires re-export within six months and a bank guarantee of 110% of duty, with exceptions for government and diplomatic missions.
Trade India Finance Ministry Notifies Rules of Origin for Goods Under India-UK Trade Pact
India's Finance Ministry has notified the rules of origin for goods under the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). The rules, effective July 15, 2026, are critical for exporters to claim duty-free access covering 99% of India's exports to the UK. CBIC will oversee implementation, with authorised entities issuing certificates of origin.
Trade India-Israel Bilateral Investment Pact Takes Effect from 4 July 2026
The Bilateral Investment Agreement between India and Israel, signed on 8 September 2025 in New Delhi, came into force on 4 July 2026. The pact aims to protect investments while preserving policy space for public objectives, and is expected to boost cross-border investment. Separately, India's Piyush Goyal announced plans to negotiate a trade pact.
Trade India-US Trade Deal Will Unleash Animal Spirits, Says Surjit Bhalla; Warns Delay Benefits China
Economist Surjit Bhalla argues that a comprehensive India-US trade deal will unleash 'animal spirits' and accelerate India's development. He warns that prolonged delays benefit China and attributes the lack of progress to entrenched interests in India's policymaking establishment.
Trade Piyush Goyal to Visit London Before India-UK CETA and DCC Come into Force
India's Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal will travel to London ahead of the India-UK Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) and Double Contribution Convention (DCC) taking effect. The visit includes a bilateral meeting with UK Secretary of State Peter Kyle and engagements with major corporations to strengthen economic ties.
Trade Government Seeks Comparative Advantage in US Trade Deal, Reports Business-Today
According to a report by Business-Today, the Indian government is seeking to leverage comparative advantage in its ongoing trade deal negotiations with the United States. No further details were provided in the source article.
Trade UK-India Trade Deal Calls for Standards Upgrade, Experts Say
Experts have called for Indian exporters to upgrade product standards to align with UK regulatory requirements under the upcoming Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). The UK Department for Business and Trade has already launched a nationwide FTA roadshow across six cities to prepare British businesses. Rudra Kumar Pandey of SAM & Co emphasized the need for similar outreach programmes in India.
Trade India, US to hold ministerial-level talks on bilateral trade pact this week
India and the United States will hold ministerial-level talks this week on a bilateral trade agreement (BTA). Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal announced that his US counterpart is visiting Delhi for the discussions, which aim to finalize the framework of the first-phase deal amid changing tariff landscapes and ongoing Section 301 investigations.
Trade UKIBC Hails India-UK Trade Pact Rollout From July 15, Says CETA to Unlock New Growth
The UK India Business Council (UKIBC) has applauded the upcoming India-UK Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA), which enters into force on July 15, 2026. Bilateral trade reached £47.9 billion in the four quarters ending Q4 2025, a 10% increase, with tariff reductions and improved market access expected to further boost trade and investment. The pact is projected to significantly benefit India's services sector, including IT, financial services, and education.
Trade India-UK FTA clears steel hurdle; 85% of Indian exports shielded from British curbs
India has secured protection for **85%** of its steel exports to the UK under the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), with those shipments remaining outside Britain's upcoming steel safeguard measures. The agreement, effective from July 15, caps tariff-free imports and reduces overall quota volumes by **60%**, with a **50%** tariff on over-quota steel. The deal also addresses concerns over the UK's planned carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) scheduled for **2027**.
Trade Trump Signals Progress on India-US Trade Agreement, Says 'Very Close to Deal' at G7 Summit
US President Donald Trump announced at the G7 Summit that India and the US are 'very close' to a bilateral trade agreement. USTR Jamieson Greer will visit India on June 23-24 for final negotiations with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, who says 99% of issues are settled. The interim deal is expected before July 24, when a temporary US tariff regime expires.
Trade Mexico Holds Top US Trade Spot as Trump Raises Doubts on Renewing USMCA
Mexico held its position as the top U.S. trading partner in April with $86.04 billion in two-way trade, a 23.4% increase year-over-year, extending a streak since 2023. President Donald Trump raised doubts about renewing the USMCA, stating he is not looking to renew it. USMCA negotiations continue with a second round of talks scheduled in Washington.
Trade India-US Trade Deal Phase One Imminent, Says Goyal
India and the US are set to finalize the first phase of their trade deal by mid-next month, according to Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal. The agreement aims to provide India with preferential access over competitors.
Trade India–Oman CEPA Boosts Seafood Exports from Chennai
India's first chilled fish consignment to Oman under the India–Oman CEPA was dispatched from Chennai on June 1, 2026. The agreement eliminates import duties on marine products, enhancing India's competitive edge in the Gulf region.
Trade UK Foreign Secretary to Discuss FTA in India Visit
UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper is set to visit India to discuss a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) aimed at enhancing the £48 billion trade relationship. The FTA could eliminate tariffs on 99% of UK exports to India and reduce tariffs on 90% of Indian exports to the UK.
Trade India-UK FTA Stalled by Steel Tariffs, Scotch Duties May Adjust
The India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) faces implementation delays due to the UK's new steel tariffs and carbon tax. India may adjust Scotch whisky duties to rebalance the agreement.
Trade India, Canada Target $50B Trade with CEPA Talks
India and Canada are advancing their Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) talks, aiming to boost bilateral trade to $50 billion by 2030. Piyush Goyal's visit to Canada emphasized investment opportunities and collaboration in key sectors.
Trade India-Oman CEPA: Key Benefits and Sector Gains
The India-Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) becomes effective June 1, 2026, enhancing trade by eliminating tariffs on key exports. This agreement significantly benefits sectors like engineering goods, pharmaceuticals, and textiles, while also facilitating professional mobility.
Trade India, Canada to Finalize CEPA by Year-End, Boost Trade
India and Canada are set to conclude the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) by the end of 2023, aiming to triple bilateral trade by 2030. This development was announced by India's Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal during his visit to Canada.
Trade India, Canada Target $50B Trade with CEPA by Year-End
India and Canada are working to finalize the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) by the end of the year, aiming to boost bilateral trade to $50 billion by 2030. Indian Minister Piyush Goyal and Canadian Minister Maninder Sidhu are leading the negotiations.
Trade India, US Forge Pact on Critical Minerals, Rare Earths
India and the US have signed a bilateral framework to secure the supply chain of critical minerals and rare earths. This agreement, signed during the Quad Foreign Ministers' meeting, aims to enhance cooperation in mining, processing, and recycling.
Trade India-Canada FTA Talks Near Conclusion: Goyal
India and Canada are on track to finalize their Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by the end of the year, according to Indian Minister Piyush Goyal. The agreement aims to enhance trade in sectors like energy, agri-food, and technology.