India's Agricultural Triumph: Zero Duties on Exports with FTA to UK

India's free trade agreement with the UK excludes dairy, oils, and apples, but secures zero duties on 95% of agriculture and processed foods. Indian staples and marine products gain duty-free UK access, boosting agri exports by 20% over three years. Farmers are anticipated as major winners.

India has safeguarded its farmers' interests by excluding sensitive items such as dairy products, edible oils, and apples from its free trade agreement with the UK, while successfully securing zero duties on 95% of its agricultural and processed food exports.

This agreement, signed recently, excludes tariff concessions on oats but allows Indian staples such as turmeric and cardamom, along with processed foods and marine products, duty-free entrance into the UK market. This unprecedented access is anticipated to increase India's agricultural exports by 20% over the next three years.

Commerce ministry officials termed this arrangement a significant victory for India's food processing sector, with duty eliminations extending to 99.7% of tariff lines. Furthermore, high-margin products like Indian coffee and spices are set to gain prominence, as new markets in the UK open up.

(With inputs from agencies.)