Theme: Trade | Behind the trade curtain: What the India-UK FTA really means

In this episode of the State of Economy Podcast, businessline's  Amiti Sen speaks with Professor Abhijit Das, International trade expert and former head of centre for WTO Studies about the implications of the recently signed India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA).   The discussion explores key highlights of the deal, including tariff reductions on whisky, greater market access for Indian textile and leather exports, and provisions aimed at easing the movement of professionals. Das notes that while the FTA signals political cooperation and commitment to rules-based trade, its actual impact remains uncertain until the legal text is fully disclosed.  The conversation also touches on areas of concern, such as possible concessions in government procurement and the automobile sector, and the risks posed by non-trade clauses related to labor and environmental standards.   Das warns that these elements could create challenges for Indian industry in the long term. The episode further examines how the India-UK FTA could influence ongoing trade negotiations with the European Union and the United States, especially in light of potential US tariff threats.   Concluding with a reflection on the future of the WTO and India’s role as a voice for the Global South, the episode offers valuable insights into the evolving global trade environment and India's strategic choices.  (Host: Amiti Sen Producer: Prethicshaa Gurumoorthy) About the State of the Economy podcast  India’s economy has been hailed as a bright spot amid the general gloom that seems to have enveloped the rest of the world. But several sectors continue to stutter even as others seem set to fire on all cylinders.