Piyush Goyal Honoured at UK-India Awards
Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal was presented with an award for 'Exceptional Leadership in Elevating UK-India Ties' at a ceremony in London on Thursday evening. The event, organised by the India Global Forum (IGF) as part of its UK-India Awards 2026, also honoured the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiating teams from both countries.
The award ceremony marked the tenth anniversary of the IGF UK-India Awards and celebrated the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which is set to enter into force on July 15, 2026. Goyal was joined on stage by his UK counterpart, Peter Kyle, and IGF founder Manoj Ladwa as he received the special accolade.
Goyal's Remarks on CETA Success
"I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that this will be a success, and this CETA will become a template, will be a role model for many other free trade agreements in the future," said Goyal during the ceremony. He emphasised that the agreement goes beyond tariffs and rules of origin, encompassing collaborations in technology, education, culture, and the arts, aimed at bringing the best of both countries to each other.
"It's a fair, equitable, very balanced agreement. We may have fought over every single line, over every single product, but in a spirit of fairness, in a spirit of accommodation, very sensitive to each other's interests and concerns," he added, acknowledging the painstaking efforts of the negotiating teams over the years.
Business and Investor Reception
Earlier in the day, the minister attended a reception with wide participation from business leaders and investors from both India and the UK. The event was part of his three-day visit to the UK to review preparedness for the implementation of the CETA.
Goyal highlighted how the agreement will "unlock immense opportunities" for growth and prosperity on both sides. He urged participants to leverage the full potential of the "landmark agreement to deepen collaboration, boost trade and investment flows, and drive innovation across sectors."
Context of the UK-India Trade Deal
The India-UK CETA, finalised after years of negotiations, is expected to significantly enhance bilateral trade, which currently stands at around £36 billion annually. The agreement covers goods, services, and investment, and is projected to boost the UK economy by £1.2 billion and India's by £1.5 billion over the next decade, according to government estimates.
The IGF UK-India Awards have been a platform to recognise individuals and organisations that have contributed to strengthening ties between the two nations. This year's awards also acknowledged the FTA negotiating teams for their dedication and hard work in reaching the historic deal.
