Cricket and Trade — India and the UK Grow Closer

This week marked two significant milestones that highlight the strengthening relationship between India and the United Kingdom. On Sunday, the Indian women’s cricket team created history at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London by defeating England by a massive margin in the first-ever women’s Test match played at the iconic venue in its 142-year history. The victory was made even more memorable as bowler Kranti Gaud and batter Yastika Bhatia earned places on the prestigious Lord’s Honours Boards. Just three days later, on 15 July, the India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) came into force. Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal described it as a “gold standard” and one of the most ambitious and aspirational free trade agreements India has signed. Interestingly, the same spirit of excellence that defined India’s women cricketers also reflected in India’s approach to this landmark economic partnership.

These two developments point to a broader shift in India’s global standing. Whether on the cricket field or at the negotiating table, India is no longer waiting for opportunities to come its way—it is shaping outcomes on its own terms. While cricket reflects healthy competition, as seen in England replacing India as the world’s number one men’s cricket team after the recent T20 series, the economic partnership with the UK represents complementarity. Both nations stand to benefit significantly from CETA, and the agreement demonstrates India’s growing confidence and strategic autonomy in international negotiations. Finalised after fourteen intensive rounds of talks, the deal signals that India now negotiates from a position of strength and equality.

The agreement opens substantial economic opportunities for both countries. India will gain easier access to premium British products such as Scotch whisky, gin, luxury cars, cosmetics and motorcycles, while Britain will welcome India’s globally competitive services sector, including IT firms, consultants, engineers, architects, accountants and healthcare professionals. Indian exporters will also enjoy greater competitiveness in the UK market against rivals from Europe, China and elsewhere. Sectors such as textiles, leather, engineering goods, marine products and processed food are expected to receive a major boost. At the same time, Indian farmers and fishermen stand to benefit as the UK removes or reduces tariffs on 98.8 per cent of its tariff lines, while India eliminates tariffs on 30 per cent of trade immediately and phases out tariffs on another 47 per cent over time. The agreement is also expected to encourage greater British investment in India across manufacturing, renewable energy, education, financial services and technology.

Another important component of the partnership is the Double Contribution Convention (DCC), the social security agreement that prevents Indian professionals working in Britain from paying into both countries’ social security systems simultaneously. This enhances labour mobility and makes working abroad more attractive for Indian professionals. Importantly, India has also protected its sensitive sectors—including dairy, cereals, millets, edible oils and oilseeds—from excessive foreign competition. The agreement further creates annual mobility opportunities for Indian chefs, yoga instructors and classical musicians, expanding the scope of cultural and professional exchanges.

Such an agreement would have been difficult to imagine a few decades ago. During earlier rounds of WTO negotiations, India often found itself on the weaker side of discussions dominated by developed economies such as the US, the European Union and Japan. Structural inequalities in bargaining power, market access and economic influence limited India’s negotiating capacity. In the post-war and Cold War era, trade partnerships were often shaped by diplomatic pressure and economic coercion, leaving India with little leverage and a comparatively weak currency.

Several strategic changes have transformed India’s position since then. First, India has demonstrated resilience in the face of unilateral trade measures. When the United States imposed reciprocal tariffs on several Indian exports, India did not retreat. Instead, it supported domestic exporters through policy measures and diversified export destinations. Meanwhile, its rapidly expanding services sector—including financial, professional and digital services—continued to perform strongly, cushioning the impact on merchandise exports.

Second, India has adopted a more independent and pragmatic trade strategy. It continued importing Russian crude oil despite external pressure because it had developed significant domestic refining capacity, enabling it to become one of the world’s largest exporters of refined petroleum products. Trade decisions increasingly became strategic choices rather than forced necessities. Simultaneously, initiatives such as Atmanirbhar Bharat strengthened domestic production in critical sectors including defence and space, while India maintained balanced engagement with major global powers such as the United States, Russia and China.

Most importantly, India reduced its dependence on multilateral forums that had often failed to deliver favourable outcomes and instead focused on bilateral and regional partnerships. Besides the UK agreement, India has strengthened economic ties with the United States, the European Union, Australia, Russia and the Middle East. The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement signed with the UAE in 2022 significantly reduced tariffs on Indian exports, while the 2024 agreement with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries further expanded market access. India also remains an active participant in regional trade frameworks such as the Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA) and the SAARC Preferential Trading Arrangement (SAPTA), reinforcing its role in regional economic integration.

Today, India’s strong economic growth, vast consumer market, diversified exports in services, pharmaceuticals, electronics, petroleum products, gems and jewellery, and its young, skilled workforce make it an indispensable trading partner. Its growing education sector has also attracted leading international universities to establish campuses in India. These strengths ensure that few countries can afford to overlook India in global trade negotiations.

Cricket mirrors this evolving relationship perfectly. India and England remain fierce competitors on the field, yet they also collaborate extensively through leagues such as the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Women’s Premier League, where English cricketers regularly participate. Their relationship demonstrates that competition and cooperation can coexist successfully. The India–UK trade agreement embodies the same principle—a partnership built on mutual benefit despite healthy competition. Just as Lord’s took 142 years to host a women’s Test match, India no longer waits decades for opportunities. It is confidently creating them.