Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal emphasized India's intent to convert the India&ndash;UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) into a powerful economic and strategic partnership, highlighting its potential in trade, technology, and innovation.
Speaking at the India Global Forum (IGF) 2025 in London, Goyal described the FTA, signed in May 2025, as a symbol of the shared ambitions of India and the UK&mdash;two dynamic democracies shaping the future of global commerce. He was joined by UK Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, with the session moderated by journalist Mark Barton.
Goyal outlined India&rsquo;s focus areas for FTA implementation:
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Strengthening institutional frameworks 
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Supporting SMEs and startups 
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Facilitating professional mobility 
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Enhancing innovation in fintech, AI, green energy, and digital infrastructure 
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Later, at a special session on UK&ndash;India Science, Technology, and Innovation held at the Science Museum in London, Goyal invited UK stakeholders to collaborate on India&rsquo;s key projects like Make in India, UPI, CoWIN, and the PLI schemes, promoting India as a global hub for manufacturing and digital transformation.
The ministry said the FTA will open new pathways in goods, services, critical technologies, defence production, and sustainable development.
[Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by the Benefit News editorial team and is published directly from the IANS news feed.]
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India-UK FTA to Boost Trade, Tech, and Innovation Ties

Piyush Goyal calls pact a transformative step for SMEs, startups, and digital infrastructure

India-UK FTA to Boost Trade, Tech, and Innovation Ties

Piyush Goyal calls pact a transformative step for SMEs, startups, and digital infrastructure

June 19, 2025 | 18:58 IST