Sources confirm that the full text of the long-awaited UK-India free trade agreement has been leaked, revealing sweeping tariff reductions and a dramatic expansion of manufacturing operations across both nations. The document, obtained by this correspondent in the last hour, lays out provisions that will slash duties on British cars, whisky, and pharmaceuticals entering India by up to 95% over five years, while Indian textiles, steel, and technology services gain preferential access to UK markets.
‘This is the biggest bilateral deal since the 1970s,’ said Dr. Anjali Mehta, a trade policy expert at the London School of Economics. ‘The manufacturing clauses are unprecedented – we’re talking about joint ventures in electric vehicles and aerospace, with British firms setting up major plants in Gujarat and Maharashtra.’
Downing Street declined to comment, but a Whitehall source told The British Wire that the deal is expected to be formally signed within weeks. ‘It’s a done deal,’ the source said. ‘The leak is embarrassing, but it won’t derail things. The economic impact will be immediate.’
Indian officials in London were caught off guard. A spokesperson for the High Commission said: ‘We do not comment on leaked documents. Negotiations are ongoing.’ However, the text suggests otherwise – tariff schedules, intellectual property clauses, and labour mobility provisions are all detailed.
Crucially, the agreement includes a ‘manufacturing hub’ status for several UK regions, including the West Midlands and Scotland. Jaguar Land Rover, which already builds cars in India, is expected to triple its production capacity. Meanwhile, Indian IT firms like Infosys and TCS are set to expand their UK workforces by 10,000.
‘This will create thousands of jobs on both sides,’ said Professor James Thornton of the University of Cambridge. ‘But there are risks – cheaper imports could hit some domestic industries. The devil is in the details.’
The leak also reveals a dispute resolution mechanism that bypasses traditional courts, instead using a joint arbitration panel. Critics argue this could undermine legal sovereignty.
Business leaders are ecstatic. ‘We’ve been waiting years for this,’ said Emma Clarke, CEO of Birmingham-based precision engineering firm Clarke & Co. ‘If tariffs drop, we can compete with anyone. We’re already planning a new factory in Pune.’
Foreign Secretary David Lammy is expected to address Parliament tomorrow. The usual parliamentary summer recess may be delayed to fast-track ratification.
This is a developing story. More details will follow as we analyse the 1,200-page document. For now, one thing is clear: the UK-India trade landscape is about to change forever.
