India-UK trade deal: What is each state exporting to the UK under new FTA?
New Delhi: In a landmark development for Indo-British ties, India and the United Kingdom officially signed a long-awaited Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on Thursday, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s high-profile visit to London.
The pact, which took over three years of negotiations, was formalised in the presence of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, with India’s Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and UK Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds signing the document.
The ambitious agreement is set to supercharge bilateral trade, projected to grow by $34 billion annually. It promises reduced tariffs, streamlined regulations, and enhanced access to markets for both goods and services. “Our landmark trade deal with India is a major win for Britain,” said Prime Minister Starmer. “It will create thousands of British jobs, unlock new opportunities for businesses, and drive growth across the country.”
India is poised to gain extensively from the deal through expanded access for its traditional industries, agricultural products, textiles, services, and MSMEs. The FTA is expected to generate employment, drive skill development, and amplify exports from across Indian states.
State-Wise Export Contributions Under the FTA:
Northern & Central India:
Jammu & Kashmir: Pashmina shawls, Basmati rice, Kashmiri saffron, Kashmir willow bats
Himachal Pradesh & Uttarakhand: Basmati rice
Uttar Pradesh: Meerut sports goods, Khurja pottery, Agra & Kanpur leather
Delhi & Punjab: Basmati rice, Jalandhar sports goods
Bihar: Sikki grass toys, Bhagalpuri silk, Makhana, Shahi litchi
Eastern India:
West Bengal: Baluchari sarees, Darjeeling tea, Natugram dolls, Shantiniketan leather
Tripura: Natural and processed rubber
Western India:
Rajasthan: Jaipur gemstone jewellery
Gujarat: Bandhini and Surat textiles, Morbi ceramics, Surat diamonds
Maharashtra: Kolhapuri footwear, IT services
Southern India:
Karnataka: Channapatna toys
Kerala: Natural rubber, Turmeric
Tamil Nadu: Kanchipuram sarees, Tiruppur knitwear, Thanjavur dolls, IT services
Andhra Pradesh: Araku coffee, Turmeric
Telangana: IT services
A Push for Services and Startups: Beyond traditional exports, India’s IT, engineering, and consulting sectors are expected to see a major upswing. The agreement also includes provisions to ease work permits and migration pathways for Indian professionals and graduates.
In a sign of early momentum, 26 UK-based companies, including major players in fintech and pharma, have announced new investments in India, taking advantage of faster regulatory processes and liberalised rules of origin under the new trade framework.
The India–UK FTA represents a fusion of heritage and innovation, linking traditional Indian exports with high-value service sectors. As both nations embrace a "future-facing" trade model, the agreement marks a strategic post-Brexit realignment that could reshape Asia-Europe trade dynamics.