How India’s 2025 FTAs realigned global trade

New Delhi's successful finalisation and operationalisation of several Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) signify more than a rewiring of its economic trajectory. This achievement also firmly establishes India as a central, reliable pillar within the evolving global supply chain.

“India already has a robust and well-established Certificate of Origin framework, which has been functioning smoothly under existing FTAs without dispute from importing countries,” said Sabyasachi Ray, Executive Director of Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC).

The India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) was, signed in July 2025. This crown jewel pact grants a staggering 99% of Indian exports duty-free access to British markets, providing a massive tailwind for the textiles, leather, and gems sectors.

In a balanced exchange, India has agreed to a phased reduction of the long-standing 150% tariff on Scotch whisky and lowered barriers for British automobiles. Perhaps more for the modern economy is the double contribution convention embedded in the deal.

This provision, which eliminates dual social security payments for Indian nomadic professionals, is projected to save Indian IT firms upwards of ₹4,000 crore annually, reinforcing India’s dominance in the $350 billion services sector.

Further, the India-EFTA (Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein) agreement entered its implementation phase on October 1, 2025. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said that the Investment-First pact, moving beyond the simple exchange of goods to the mobilisation of capital.

EFTA nations have made a binding commitment to invest $100 billion into India and create one million jobs over the next 15 years. This deal serves as a catalyst for high-tech manufacturing, bringing Swiss precision and Norwegian green energy expertise to Indian shores.

Expanding its reach to the Gulf and Oceania, India signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with Oman on December 18, 2025. This agreement serves as a strategic gateway to the Middle East, offering immediate duty-free access for nearly all Indian goods.

Days later, on December 22, the New Zealand deal showcased India’s negotiation skills; while New Delhi successfully protected its sensitive domestic dairy industry, it facilitated a fast-track re-export mechanism for New Zealand dairy and secured a dedicated visa quota for 5,000 skilled Indian workers.

According to diplomat Ambassador Mohan Kumar said on national television channel DD News, “All the current FTAs we are signing are to the west of India. The UK, Australia, Canada, Oman and Saudi Arabia and so on. They're all to the west of India and that is because we believe that our manufacturing can compete much better if we have FDA with those countries,”.

Looking ahead to 2026, the business community is now focused on the January 27, 2026, India-EU Summit, where a deal with the 27-nation bloc is reportedly in its final drafting stages.

Agreements with Australia and the Eurasian Economic Union are also expected by mid-year. However, analysts warn that for India to become a top-notch global player, these trade wins must be paired with internal structural reforms in power, land acquisition, and agriculture.

While sensitive items like gold, silver, and dairy remain on the exclusion list to protect domestic interests, the 2025 trade blitz has undeniably set the stage for an era of unprecedented Indian economic integration.