FTA: Piyush Goyal leaves for high-level official visit to UK today to strengthen economic ties

The partnership assumes significance particularly in the backdrop of the announcement by the two Prime Ministers to conclude the India–UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

"At a time of evolving global trade dynamics, Goyal’s visit aims to accelerate bilateral engagements, harness emerging opportunities, and lay a robust foundation for a forward-looking, resilient, and mutually beneficial economic relationship," read a statement issued by the Indian government.

During the visit, Goyal will hold a bilateral meeting with the UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Jonathan Reynolds.

Both leaders will review the progress made in the ongoing FTA negotiations and chart out a clear, time-bound roadmap for its finalisation and implementation.

The Minister will also meet the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer,  Rachel Reeves, to discuss macroeconomic priorities, financial cooperation, and investment facilitation between the two countries.

In addition, the Minister is scheduled to engage with Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Lisa Nandy to explore avenues of collaboration in creative industries and innovation-driven sectors.

Goyal will participate in multiple high-impact sessions at the prestigious India Global Forum (IGF), including the Mainstage Plenary, the Future Frontiers Forum, and a roundtable titled ‘From Agreement to Action: UK–India FTA’.

These engagements will bring together global business leaders, investors, and policy experts to deliberate on the strategic contours of the India–UK economic corridor and the transformative impact of the proposed FTA.

Business engagements will form a central pillar of the visit.

The Minister is expected to interact with leading CEOs and industry stakeholders from key sectors including shipping, fintech, logistics, and advanced manufacturing, with a view to deepening commercial linkages and promoting cross-border investments.

The visit comes at a pivotal moment for India–UK relations.

With a shared ambition to convert vision into action, Goyal’s interactions will reinforce mutual trust, unlock new pathways of cooperation, and advance a shared commitment to inclusive, sustainable, and high-impact economic growth.