India and the UK announced on Wednesday that the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the accompanying Agreement on Social Security, also known as the Double Contribution Convention (DCC), will come into force on 15 July 2026, after both countries complete their ratification procedures. Signed as part of the broader India-UK economic partnership framework, the pacts are expected to deepen bilateral trade and ease the movement of professionals. India's ministry of commerce and industry said CETA would provide immediate duty-free access on 99% of India's tariff lines and level the playing field for Indian exporters. Commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal said the deal would dismantle long-standing tariff walls. Tariffs of up to 70% on processed food, 21.5% on marine products, 18% on engineering goods and auto components, 16% on leather and footwear, 12% on textiles and clothing, and 8% on chemicals and pharmaceuticals will be reduced to zero. Sensitive sectors such as dairy, cereals, millets, edible oils, oilseeds, apples and several vegetables are protected from concessions. The UK has offered a services package covering 137 sub-sectors of export interest. About 1,800 Indian chefs, yoga instructors and classical musicians will get dedicated annual mobility. The DCC exempts Indian professionals on temporary UK assignments from dual social security contributions, raising the exemption period from three to five years, benefiting over 75,000 professionals and 900 companies. The UK expects bilateral trade to rise by £25.5 billion annually in the long run. PM Narendra Modi called it a historic milestone supporting Viksit Bharat 2047.