India–UK JETCO agrees annual CETA usage data exchange
The 16th India–UK JETCO agreed to exchange annual data on business use of CETA tariffs and to set up committees, with the next meeting in the UK in 2027.
The story in focus
At the 16th India–UK JETCO in New Delhi, ministers agreed to exchange annual data starting one year after CETA entered into force on how businesses use the agreement's lower tariffs, and to establish committees and contact points for its operation.
- Annual data exchange on CETA tariff claims will begin one year after entry into force.
- On the day CETA entered into force, Indian exporters sent more than 50 consignments to the UK.
- The 17th JETCO will be held in the United Kingdom in 2027.
What ministers agreed
Meeting in New Delhi on 12 October 2026, Indian commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal and UK business and trade secretary Jonathan Reynolds set out steps to build on the India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). The joint statement said the two sides will exchange data annually, beginning one year after CETA entered into force, on how businesses use the agreement. That includes how often firms claim its lower tariffs, alongside business feedback on what is working and where more support is needed.
The ministers also agreed a plan for the continued smooth operation of CETA, including establishing its committees and working groups and confirming government-to-government contact points for every part of the agreement. Officials were asked to address challenges quickly.
Early trade flows
The statement said Indian exporters sent more than 50 consignments to the UK on the day CETA entered into force, covering electronics such as smartphones, machinery including turbojets, gold jewellery, ready-made garments, woollen yarn, tea and coffee. Joha rice from Assam became the first export of that regional variety to the UK, and the first Certificates of Origin were issued through India's eCoO 2.0 platform on a self-certification basis.
From the UK side, the statement said the first tariff-free Scottish salmon reached India within a fortnight, with several thousand kilos exported since, while Scotch whisky entered under reduced tariffs and the first cars under the tariff-rate quota cleared customs.
Next steps
The ministers agreed to extend cooperation into services, innovation, government procurement, science and technology, and gender, with more business-to-business engagement and regional partnerships. The 17th JETCO is scheduled for the United Kingdom in 2027.
When will the two countries begin sharing data on how businesses use CETA?
The joint statement says annual data exchange on business use of the agreement, including how often firms claim lower tariffs, will start one year after CETA entered into force.
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