India-UK Trade Deal Faces Delay Over British Steel Import Curbs
India’s proposed free trade agreement with Britain has encountered a fresh hurdle as the UK introduces stricter steel import restrictions, according to India’s Trade Secretary Rajesh Agrawal. Speaking on Friday, Agrawal said the agreement was close to being operationalised, but unresolved concerns over Britain’s new steel safeguard measures had delayed the process.
The UK government recently announced tighter controls on steel imports aimed at protecting its domestic industry from rising global supply. Effective from July 1, the revised rules will significantly reduce tariff-free import quotas and impose higher duties on shipments exceeding those limits. The move could impact Indian steel exporters who were expected to benefit from reduced tariffs under the India-UK trade pact.
Agrawal stated that both nations are currently engaged in discussions to find a “creative solution” to the steel issue and ensure the agreement is implemented at the earliest. The India-UK free trade deal, signed last year, is expected to strengthen bilateral trade ties and improve market access across several sectors once operational.
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