India-UK JETCO Meeting Reviews CETA Implementation and Future Priorities
The 16th meeting of the India-UK Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) was held in New Delhi, chaired by Shri Piyush Ved Prakash Goyal, India's Minister of Commerce and Industry, and the Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds MP, UK's Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade. This marked the first JETCO since negotiations began in January 2022 for the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which both ministers celebrated as a landmark agreement that is already delivering benefits for businesses in both countries.
Initial CETA Implementation Results
On the day CETA entered into force, Indian exporters sent more than 50 consignments to the UK, including electronics such as smartphones, electrical and mechanical machinery including turbojets, gold jewellery, ready-made garments, woollen yarn, tea and coffee. A significant milestone was the shipment of Joha rice from Assam to the UK, representing the first export of this distinctive regional variety. The first Certificates of Origin under CETA were issued through India's eCoO 2.0 platform on a self-certification basis, facilitating exporters' access to preferential treatment from the outset. From the UK side, the first tariff-free Scottish salmon reached India within a fortnight, with several thousand kilos exported since, while Scotch whisky has entered the Indian market under reduced tariffs, and the first cars exported under the tariff-rate quota have cleared customs and been imported into India.
Data Exchange and Operational Framework
Both countries agreed to exchange data annually starting one year after CETA's entry into force on how businesses are using the agreement, including data on how often businesses claim CETA's lower tariffs alongside business feedback on implementation. This will help identify priorities and support more companies, especially small and medium-sized businesses, in taking advantage of the agreement. They also established a plan for CETA's continued smooth operation, including establishing committees and working groups and confirming government-to-government contact points for every part of the agreement.
Regional Engagement and Future Cooperation
The meeting coincided with the visit of seven mayors and a combined authority leader from the North of England, supported by parallel visits by the UK's Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Both ministers welcomed this regional delegation and recognized the contribution that states, regions and cities make to strengthening trade, investment, innovation and people-to-people links. They agreed to deepen cooperation across services, innovation, government procurement, science and technology, and gender, with greater business-to-business engagement and enhanced regional partnerships. The meeting also included the India-UK Science and Innovation Council and Innovation Roundtable, connecting businesses, investors and researchers for faster commercialization of new technologies.
Next Steps
Both ministers agreed to continue drawing on feedback from businesses, industry associations, export promotion bodies and other stakeholders to identify and address CETA implementation issues. They emphasized the value of continued business-to-business interactions, sectoral roundtables and stakeholder engagement, and agreed that visits of high-level delegations should continue to maintain momentum. The 17th JETCO will take place in the United Kingdom in 2027.