India-UK FTA rollout only in H2 CY26

The two sides concluded negotiations for an FTA on 6 May, but a final deal is yet to be signed

- Dhirendra Kumar

If you're hoping for cheaper single malt whisky or British electric vehicles on Indian roads in 2025, the wait is far from over.

The implementation of the India-UK free trade agreement (FTA) is expected to take at least 10 months from the date of signing, meaning the deal is unlikely to come into effect before the second half of calendar year 2026—assuming all goes as planned.

The two sides concluded negotiations for an FTA on 6 May, but a final deal is yet to be signed.

"After signing, the UK's accession to CPTPP (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) took 10 months, and a similar timeline is expected for the India FTA," a senior British official told Mint on condition of anonymity, noting that the schedule will largely depend on the UK parliament's timetable.