India-UK Free Trade Deal Signed, NSE Chief Sees More Global Agreements Ahead

London, July 26 — Ashish Kumar Chauhan, the Managing Director and CEO of the National Stock Exchange (NSE), said it was a great honour to witness the signing of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the United Kingdom. The agreement was signed on July 24, 2025, in the presence of India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Chequers, the UK PM’s official country home.

Chauhan shared his thoughts on social media, saying he felt “honoured and privileged” to witness this important moment.

Speaking to IANS, Chauhan said that discussions around the India-UK FTA had been going on for the last three to four years. The talks started when the UK was still under a Conservative government. Despite changes in leadership over time, both the Conservative and Labour parties continued to support the agreement, which he praised as a positive sign of cooperation.

Chauhan believes that this trade deal is a strong step forward and will lead to more such agreements with countries like the United States, the European Union, Japan, and others.

India and the EU are currently working toward finalising their own free trade agreement by the end of 2025. Talks with the US and ASEAN countries are also progressing steadily.

Chauhan said the world has seen how much India has grown in the last 11 years under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership. He believes the India-UK FTA will help various industries grow even more and improve international business relationships.

The signing of this FTA marks an important moment in India’s efforts to strengthen its position in global trade, and the next few months will be key as India moves forward with talks with other trade partners.