The first seven zero-duty shipments from India, featuring products such as handcrafted jewellery arrived in the UK following the official entry into force of the landmark India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).
The implementation of the free trade pact, which took effect on 15 July, was formally celebrated at the High Commission of India in London with a showcase of goods benefiting from the new low/zero-tariff regimes. The event was also marked with a special cake-cutting ceremony attended by the officials from the UK's Department for Business and Trade (DBT).
Speaking at the event, the Indian High Commissioner to the UK, His Excellency P Kumaran stated that CETA covers approximately 99 percent of tariff lines for Indian exports to the UK, projecting a transformative impact on bilateral commerce. Kumaran noted that the agreement is expected to help double trade in goods and services between UK and India from around $65 billion to $100 billion by 2030, enhancing market competitiveness and driving commercial opportunities.
Estimates from the UK Department for Business and Trade indicate that CETA could expand annual bilateral trade by £25.5 billion over the long term, boosting India's GDP by £5.1 billion and the UK's GDP by £4.8 billion while fortifying supply chains and supporting employment in both markets.
The High Commission also launched a dedicated LinkedIn page to assist businesses in navigating the new framework. The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) launched a guide book titled 'India-UK CETA: A Guide to UK Import Requirements for Indian Exporters’ at the reception, to assist SMEs with British regulatory standards.
Nysa Creations Ltd
Among the businesses utilising the new terms are Nysa Creations Ltd, a London-based jewellery importer, and Odisha-based Kruti Retail Ventures. Present also was representatives of Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Kalyan Jewellers and PureJewels by Bhanji Gokaldas who were handed commemorative certificates by the Indian High Commissioner. To kick off the formal celebration, the High Commissioner broke off the seal of Nysa Creations’ newly arrived consignment box at the reception.
Kruti Coffee
Kruti Coffee co-founder Jeeta Mona confirmed that their shipment, dispatched from Kolkata, represents the first Indian coffee consignment to enter the UK under CETA. The delivery comes ahead of the company opening its first international café in London on August 1 in Tooting High Street, with CB Patel, Publisher/Editor of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar as one of the Chief Guests.
Marking off the flagging in India, Jeeta Mona celebrated this historic moment with the High Commission of India in London where she presented a box of specialty coffee from the house of Kruti Coffee, to the High Commissioner and the entire Economic department at HCI UK, including the Minister (Economic), Nidhi Mani Tripathy and First Secretary (Economic) Hamna Mariyam Khan.
Malabar Gold & Diamonds
Malabar Gold & Diamonds, the fourth largest jewellery retailer globally with over 445 showrooms across 14 countries, also had the privilege of being one of the first importers of jewellery under the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
For Malabar Gold & Diamonds, with an established retail presence across the UK, the agreement strengthens an already significant trade and business corridor between the two countries.
Speaking on the occasion, M P Ahammad, Chairman of Malabar Group said, “Malabar Gold & Diamonds is deeply honoured to be the first importers of jewellery under the India-UK FTA. This inaugural consignment is a proud milestone for us and for the Indian jewellery industry. Indian craftsmanship has long been admired across global markets, and at Malabar Gold & Diamonds, we have consistently championed the vision of ‘Make in India; Market to the World’, taking the finest Indian craftsmanship to customers across continents. The India-UK CETA further strengthens this vision by creating new opportunities for Indian jewellery exports. The reduction in trade barriers and improved market access will help us bring greater efficiency to our supply chain, pass on stronger value to our customers, and sharpen our competitiveness in the UK. We see this as the beginning of a deeper trade relationship between India and the United Kingdom, one that will create value for both economies while reinforcing India’s position as a trusted source of world-class craftsmanship, innovation, and design”
Mohammed Ziad, Head of UK & Europe Operations at Malabar Gold & Diamonds, added, “The India-UK
Free Trade Agreement is a defining moment for businesses operating between the two countries. As a brand with an established retail presence in the UK, we see this agreement as a significant enabler for both our current operations and our long-term growth strategy in the market. Building on this momentum, we have major expansion plans in motion, including a new showroom in Manchester and an additional showroom in London, as we continue to deepen our footprint across the country. Beyond the UK, we are also looking at France and Ireland as part of our broader European growth strategy, with the UK serving as our strategic gateway into the continent. This agreement is more than an economic milestone; it is a foundation for deeper collaboration and sustainable growth between India and the United Kingdom.”
PureJewels by Bhanji Gokaldas
Jayant Raniga, CEO, PureJewels by Bhanji Gokaldas, whose father Ramniklal Raniga was present at the celebration in High Commission said on a LinkedIn post, “July 15th, 2026 marked an important moment for PureJewels by Bhanji Gokaldas as our jewellery consignment was dispatched from Surat to London under the new India UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement.
“It was a particular honour that my father, Ramniklal Raniga, a partner of PureJewels, attended the reception at the High Commission of India in London, held in honour of the first businesses participating under the agreement.
“At the same time, our consignment was formally flagged off in Surat with GJEPC India (The Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council) bringing together both ends of the trade relationship on this historic first day.
“For us, this demonstrates how closer trade ties can support specialist manufacturers, preserve heritage jewellery skills and create new commercial opportunities in both countries.
“Our partnership with Gaurav Jewellers, a specialist artisanal exporter, forms part of our wider strategy to combine British design and market knowledge with skilled Indian craftsmanship.
“Proud to see the India UK CETA move from policy into practice, and particularly proud that PureJewels was among its first participants.”
