Luxury Cars, Scotch among UK goods set to get cheaper under India-UK trade deal
New Delhi, July 15, 2026 (ANI): The India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), is expected to make a wide range of products cheaper for consumers in both countries by reducing or eliminating customs duties, while a limited set of imported goods may continue to remain expensive or see little change due to tariff exclusions and phased implementation.
The agreement, implemented from Wednesday, aims to boost bilateral trade between India and the United Kingdom by improving market access across goods and services.
Under the pact, India will reduce tariffs on a large number of British products over a phased period, while the UK will eliminate tariffs on almost all Indian exports.
Among the products that are expected to become cheaper in India are premium Scotch whisky and gin, as import duties on these products will be reduced in phases.
The tariff on whisky, currently 150 per cent, will be brought down to 75 per cent initially and further reduced to 40 per cent over the next decade, making imported British spirits more affordable.
Luxury automobiles manufactured in the UK are also expected to become less expensive. Import duties on a specified quota of British cars are set to decline gradually, potentially lowering prices of brands such as Jaguar Land Rover, Bentley, Aston Martin and Rolls-Royce.
Consumers may also benefit from lower prices on select British food and beverage products, including chocolates, biscuits, salmon, lamb, soft drinks and speciality packaged foods, as customs duties are eased under the agreement.
Certain cosmetics, medical devices and industrial machinery imported from the UK could also become more competitively priced over time.
On the export front, Indian products are expected to gain significantly from duty-free access to the UK market. Labour-intensive sectors such as textiles and garments, footwear, leather products, gems and jewellery, marine products, engineering goods, auto components, organic chemicals and processed food are likely to become more competitive, improving export opportunities for Indian manufacturers.
The agreement could also encourage greater investment and strengthen supply chain integration between the two economies.
However, not every imported British product will become cheaper immediately. Several sensitive agricultural products, dairy items and other protected sectors have been kept outside the tariff reduction commitments or are subject to safeguards, meaning prices for these products are unlikely to witness significant changes.
Similarly, for products where tariff reductions are phased over several years or linked to import quotas, any decline in retail prices is expected to be gradual rather than immediate.
Final consumer prices will also depend on factors such as freight costs, exchange rate movements, domestic taxes and retailer pricing strategies.
While cheaper imports may benefit consumers, the broader objective of the agreement is to expand two-way trade, create employment through higher exports and attract greater investment.
The long-term impact on prices will depend on the pace of tariff implementation and the extent to which businesses pass on the benefits of lower import duties to consumers. (ANI)
Haryana Felicitates Five Government ITIs for Securing Top National Rankings
Department to Skill 20,000 Youth Under PM-SETU Scheme and Connect Them with Quality Employment: Gaurav Gautam
State Government Committed to Expanding Skill Development and Employment Opportunities for Youth, Says Minister
Minister Hands Over Appointment Letters to 60 Newly Appointed Principals; Yuva Samvad Magazine Unveiled on World Youth Skills Day
Chandigarh, July 15- Haryana Minister of State for Youth Empowerment and Entrepreneurship, Sh. Gaurav Gautam, on Wednesday felicitated five Government Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) of the state for securing top positions in the national grading of ITIs. The state-level function was organised at the auditorium of the Haryana Kaushal Rozgar Nigam (HKRN) in Panchkula on the occasion of World Youth Skills Day, highlighting Haryana's remarkable achievement in strengthening technical and vocational education.
Extending his greetings on World Youth Skills Day, the Minister said that under the PM-SETU Scheme, the department aims to equip 20,000 youth with industry-relevant skills and connect them with leading industrial companies across the country. The initiative is designed to train young people in modern trades aligned with the evolving needs of industry, enabling them to secure meaningful employment.
He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi and Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, the state government is firmly committed to expanding skill development initiatives and creating better employment opportunities for the youth.
Congratulating the five Government ITIs that brought laurels to Haryana at the national level, Sh. Gautam said that Government ITI Bhodia Khera (Fatehabad) secured the 5th position nationally, Government ITI Barwala (Hisar) ranked 6th, Government ITI Kaithal secured the 7th position, Government ITI Pehowa ranked 8th, while Government Women ITI Sirsa secured the 9th position in the national grading.
On the occasion, the Minister also unveiled the department's flagship publication, Yuva Samvad, aimed at promoting awareness and engagement in skill development initiatives. He also distributed appointment letters to 60 newly appointed Principals, who were selected through a transparent recruitment process, with the objective of further strengthening the quality of training and institutional administration in ITIs. He urged the newly appointed officers to work with dedication, sincerity, and commitment to further improve the quality of vocational training across the state.
Sh. Gaurav Gautam said that in today's rapidly evolving world, every sector from Artificial Intelligence (AI) and advanced technologies to conventional fields such as civil engineering is increasingly driven by skills. He emphasised that employability in today's job market increasingly depends on skills rather than degrees.
Skilled youth, he said, form the foundation of a prosperous state and an Atmanirbhar Bharat. He added that the Centre and the State Government share the vision of ensuring "Har Haath Ko Hunar" so that every young person can contribute meaningfully to the vision of a Viksit Bharat.
Director, Haryana Skill Development Mission (HSDM), Sh. Satyender Duhan; Managing Director, Sh. Rajesh Goyal; Additional Director, Smt. Kamalpreet Kaur; Assistant Directors, Sh. Sanjeev Sharma and Sh. Manoj Saini; and other senior officers were also present on the occasion.