Mumbai, October 8, 2025 – Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, and the UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade, The Rt. Hon. Peter Kyle, convened a bilateral meeting in Mumbai today, marking a significant stride in the India-UK trade and investment partnership. The discussions centered on charting a renewed course for collaboration and accelerating the operationalization of the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).
Both ministers underscored their commitment to a swift, coordinated, and results-oriented implementation of the CETA, aimed at unlocking its full potential for businesses and consumers in both nations. To this end, they agreed to reposition the Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) to oversee the agreement's implementation and delivery.
The ministers reaffirmed their shared ambition to double bilateral trade between India and the UK by 2030. They plan to leverage the complementarities between the two economies in areas such as advanced manufacturing, digital trade, clean energy, and services to achieve this goal. Minister Goyal emphasized India's emergence as a global growth driver, while Secretary Kyle hailed the CETA as the UK's "best ever with India," providing British firms a first-mover advantage in tapping into India's expanding market.
Emphasizing the transformative scope of CETA, the ministers explored avenues to maximize its benefits through regulatory cooperation, addressing non-tariff barriers, and promoting supply chain integration. They also exchanged views on the current global trade and economic outlook, acknowledging the importance of building resilient and diversified supply chains amid ongoing global uncertainties.
Ahead of the bilateral meeting, sectoral roundtables were held across priority sectors, including Advanced Manufacturing, Consumer Goods, Food and Drink, Science, Technology and Innovation, Construction, Infrastructure & Clean Energy, and Financial, Professional & Business Services. These dialogues brought together leading voices from Indian and UK industry and provided valuable insights to guide implementation. The India-UK CEO Forum also convened, bringing together business leaders from both countries to discuss new opportunities for trade and investment.
The day concluded with a business plenary attended by senior industry representatives, where both sides reiterated their determination to unlock new opportunities for trade, investment, and innovation through the evolving India–UK partnership.
The UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, is currently on a two-day official visit to India, accompanied by a delegation of over 120 chief executives, cultural leaders, and university vice-chancellors. The visit aims to boost growth and trade ties between the two countries. Starmer and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are scheduled to meet to discuss a range of issues, including fintech, trade, and defense. They are also expected to address the Global Fintech Summit in Mumbai.
