India UK Trade Deal It Is Good News For Both The Countries: Karan Bilimoria Brass Tacks
The historic UK-India Free Trade Agreement, signed by both Prime Ministers, marks a significant milestone in bilateral ties, aiming to double trade to £80 billion in five years. Amid global trade shifts, this deal signals strong collaboration and strategic partnership. n18oc_world News18 Mobile App - https://onelink.to/desc-youtube
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Business Standard
33 minutes ago
- Business Standard
India-UK trade pact: Tariff cut may not impact Scotch whisky retail prices
The India-UK free trade agreement (FTA), under which tariffs on whisky and gin have been halved from 150 per cent to 75 per cent, which will further fall to 40 per cent in a decade's time, will not necessarily impact prices of Scotch whisky and gin for Indian consumers. According to a May 2025 report from the International Wine & Spirit Research (IWSR), blended Scotch grew the strongest of all the large whisky categories in India in 2024, with volumes rising by medium single digits and sales more than doubling since 2020. India is known to be a whisky market, with widespread national sales. However, while the data company's forecasts anticipated an upside from the FTA, it added that its impact should not be overestimated. 'While tariffs have been slashed from 150 per cent to 75 per cent, the impact on shelf prices is closer to 10 per cent and it is not a given that this will be passed on to consumers,' it had stated in the 2025 executive summary. The revised tariffs will apply to both bottled-in-origin (BIO) and bulk imports. Industry executives agree, stating that tariffs make up only up to 15 per cent of the final retail price, and with state taxes and costs for distribution and marketing, prices could be down by a mere 10 per cent. This may not be passed on to consumers, they said on the condition of anonymity. A senior commerce ministry official said that a major portion of whisky imports into India are used in the manufacture of blended whisky, whose production is set to rise due to cheaper raw material. 'We are foreseeing significant strategic and cost advantages from this development. We have estimated our Scotch requirements at over ₹250 crore in 2025-26 (FY26), and this treaty represents a substantial opportunity for value creation,' said Abhishek Khaitan, managing director at Radico Khaitan, one of the largest importers of Scotch whisky. Some liquor players also believe that the FTA will help consumers have access to premium Scotch whisky at reduced prices. 'The UK FTA is a positive move for the Scotch whisky segment, and it will enhance accessibility and affordability for Indian consumers. For import-driven portfolios like ours, this could fast-track category adoption, bring price parity closer to Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL), and enable deeper reinvestment into consumer-building efforts,' said Debashish Shyam, cofounder and director, Ardent Alcobev, which sells Dram Bell blended Scotch whisky. However, the real benefit, Shyam added, will depend on how quickly the duty reductions are implemented, and whether the states align their tax structures accordingly. Spirits made up 51.2 per cent of the total beverage alcohol market in 2024, dominated by whisky. According to the data company, India consumed 258,750 under-9-litre cases of whisky in 2024, which is set to witness a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.1 per cent from 2024 to 2029. These included 8,509.60 cases of Scotch whisky, the company stated, adding that India is set to become the biggest Scotch market in the world by 2027.
India Today
34 minutes ago
- India Today
Friendship always first: PM resets India-Maldives ties with defence, trade push
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his two-day visit to the Maldives reaffirmed the historic and strategic depth of the bilateral relationship. 'The roots of our relations are older than history, and as deep as the ocean,' Modi said during his two-day visit to Modi held wide-ranging talks with Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu to strengthen cooperation in key sectors including trade, defence, and maritime security. 'For us, it is always friendship first,' the Prime Minister declared, calling India the 'most trusted' friend of the Indian Ocean meeting marked a turnaround in bilateral ties, which had witnessed tensions after Muizzu came to power in November 2023 following his 'India Out' campaign. Modi, however, asserted that the India-Maldives friendship will always 'remain bright and clear' regardless of circumstances. India on Friday announced a Rs4,850 crore (USD 565 million) line of credit to the Maldives. 'This amount will be used for projects related to the development of infrastructure in the Maldives, in accordance with the priorities of the people of the country', the PM Secretary Vikram Misri said the pact signed during the visit would reduce the Maldives' annual debt repayment to India by 40 per cent. While China's growing assertiveness was not directly mentioned, Misri said India continues to work with the Maldives on issues that may 'impinge not just our security but the common security of the region.'PM Modi confirmed that both sides will soon finalise a bilateral investment treaty and that negotiations for a free trade agreement have already the visit,PM Modi and Muizzu jointly inaugurated several India-backed projects, including a new defence ministry building in Male, roads and drainage systems in Addu city, and 3,300 housing units in Hulhumale. PM Modi also handed over 72 vehicles and equipment to the Maldives National Defence the new defence ministry complex as a 'concrete building of trust,' PM Modi said it stands as a symbol of the 'strong partnership' between the two nations. 'India will continue to support the Maldives in the development of its defence capabilities. Peace, stability and prosperity in the Indian Ocean region is our common goal,' he the Maldives' role in India's strategic outreach, PM Modi said, 'The Maldives holds an important place in both India's Neighbourhood First policy and its MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) vision.'PM Modi also spotlighted India's swift and consistent support to the Maldives during times of crisis. 'India is also proud to be the most trusted friend of the Maldives. Be it a disaster or a pandemic, India has always stood by as a 'first responder',' he welcomed the progress made under the economic and maritime security vision unveiled during Muizzu's visit to New Delhi in October last year. 'Now it is becoming a reality. And as a result of that, our relations are touching new heights,' PM Prime Minister also noted the growing success of India's UPI (Unified Payments Interface) system in the Maldives. 'The speed with which UPI is being promoted in the Maldives will give a boost to both tourism and retail,' he Modi arrived in Male from London in the second and final leg of his two-nation tour. He received a warm welcome at Velena International Airport, with President Muizzu and top Maldivian ministers personally receiving him. Later, he was accorded a ceremonial welcome and a guard of honour at the Republic Square.- EndsMust Watch
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Mutual recognition pacts between India, UK may be ready in 36 months
New Delhi: India and the UK have agreed to negotiate mutual recognition agreements (MRAs) to facilitate the movement of professionals such as nurses, accountants and architects to Britain, an official told ET. This is crucial as in certain professional services, recognition of qualifications is an essential requirement. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category healthcare Digital Marketing MBA Others Data Science Leadership Technology MCA CXO PGDM Design Thinking Project Management Data Analytics others Management Operations Management Public Policy Finance Product Management Cybersecurity Healthcare Degree Data Science Artificial Intelligence Skills you'll gain: Duration: 11 Months IIM Lucknow CERT-IIML Healthcare Management India Starts on undefined Get Details "It has been agreed that both countries will engage in mutual recognition of qualifications because in certain professional services, recognition of qualifications is an essential requirement like nurses, architects, accountants and dentists. Within a period of 36 months, we will try to enter into MRAs with the UK," said the official. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play War Thunder now for free War Thunder Play Now Undo MRAs in professional services confer recognition of certain licensing or qualification requirements obtained in the jurisdiction of other countries. In the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), Britain has also provided an assured mobility regime for various categories of Indian professionals. Business visitors across all sectors will be allowed entry for up to 90 days within any six months. Intra-corporate transferees including partners and dependents can stay for up to three years. Graduate trainees have also been accommodated under this category. Live Events Investors will be permitted a stay of one year. Contractual service suppliers from 33 sub-sectors, including IT, ITeS, finance, business services, hospitality and transport, can operate in the UK for 12 months within 24 months. Independent professionals from 16 sub-sectors, such as IT, business consulting, telecom and finance, can also access the UK market under similar terms. At present, about 60,000 Indian intra-corporate transferees are working in the UK in the IT sector. "For that, the UK has committed that they will provide a visa for three years not only for workers but also for their partners and dependents... Most important is that the UK has also agreed that no numerical restrictions will be imposed on workers," the official added. The UK has agreed not to impose numerical quotas or Economic Needs Test requirements for these categories. On the other hand, India has given market access in professional, financial (like insurance), environmental and other services to the UK. "The UK has expertise in these services and it will lead to investments also in India... India has ensured that its policy space in sensitive sectors is preserved," the official added. India has a trade surplus of around $6.6 billion with the UK. Officials said India has not made any commitments to the UK on easing cap on British banks opening more branches.
