India and the UK have agreed to fast-track their Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and work more closely to expand trade and investment, according to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal met UK Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle in Mumbai on Wednesday to review the partnership and set a roadmap for faster implementation of the pact. The meeting focused on translating the agreement into measurable outcomes for companies and investors on both sides.y
JETCO to take charge of CETA rollout
Both ministers decided to give the India-UK Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) a wider mandate to steer the pact’s implementation and track progress. The panel will handle follow-ups and help resolve any issues that come up as the deal takes effect. The move, the ministry said, reflects a push towards more delivery-oriented cooperation – a shift from negotiation to execution. The two sides also renewed their goal of doubling trade by 2030, with focus areas including manufacturing, digital trade, clean energy and services.
Talks focus on smoother trade and resilient supply chains
The discussions also covered ways to make trade smoother by easing regulations, addressing non-tariff barriers and improving supply chain integration. Both sides acknowledged the pressure of global disruptions and agreed on the need to make supply networks more resilient. Goyal highlighted India’s position as a “growth engine” for the global economy, while Kyle said the agreement represented “the best deal the UK has ever reached with India”, giving British firms a strong first-mover advantage in one of the world’s fastest-growing markets.
Industry consultations set tone for ministerial meeting
Ahead of the talks, senior officials from both sides met industry representatives across priority sectors such as advanced manufacturing, food and drink, consumer goods, technology, clean energy and financial services. Their inputs were fed into the ministerial discussions. The day also saw the India–UK CEO Forum convene in Mumbai.
