New Delhi | : Senior BJP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Gulam Ali Khatana on Thursday termed India–UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) as a transformative framework for Indian exporters, farmers, and professionals.
Calling India-UK Free Trade Agrement a milestone in India’s global trade strategy under Prime Minister Narendra Modi Khatana emphasized that the agreement’s strategic and sector-sensitive provisions will enable over 95% of Indian agricultural exports to the UK to benefit from duty-free access, which is expected to enhance rural incomes and create new market opportunities for farmers. Khatana also highlighted the advantages for India’s services sector, particularly the inclusion of mutual social security rights for Indian professionals in the UK. This provision is anticipated to eliminate longstanding barriers for talent in key industries such as technology and finance. Furthermore, he noted that the $23-billion trade corridor established by the FTA will support micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), especially in Tier-II and Tier-III cities, by generating new export opportunities and expanding supply chains. While Khatana described the FTA as a defining moment for India, he stressed that its success hinges on institutional preparedness, sectoral awareness, and the integration of rural stakeholders to ensure that the benefits reach the grassroots level.
