CMAI has expressed its full support for the agreement, highlighting the opportunity this creates for the country’s export sector.

Once the necessary approvals are made, CMAI says zero-percent import duty will become effective and this is expected by late 2026.

However, it says the fashion industry anticipates early planning and buyer activity to commence soon.

Plus, CMAI notes the strong presence of the Indian diaspora in the UK is expected to benefit traditional ethnic apparel exports.

CMAI president Santosh Katariya comments on the expected impact of duty-free goods arriving in India. He says:“Since imports of apparel from UK are likely to be in the luxury and high‑priced category, I am confident of the Indian domestic manufacturers’ ability to face the increased competition.”

CMAI chief mentor Rahul Mehta adds: “Duty‑free imports from UK will also raise the bar for Indian brands and retailers to up their quality, service, and brand propositions — all of which will benefit the Indian consumer.”

The UK Fashion and Textile Association (UKFT) had not responded to Just Style’s request for comment but has shared previously that it has been working closely with the UK government to ensure the deal is meaningful and beneficial for the UK fashion and textile industry.

UKFT explained it was keen to protect the UK manufacturing industry from unfair competition and protecting the UK’s trading relationships with other countries under the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) with countries including Pakistan and Bangladesh.

UKFT CEO Adam Mansell said: “UKFT broadly welcomes the announcement of the UK-India trade agreement. It will provide many opportunities for the British fashion and textile industry but we also have to be mindful of the challenges as Indian exports to the UK already vastly outstrip our more modest exports and this is likely to continue.”

Bill Leach, global sales director of UK knitwear firm John Smedley Ltd is optimistic about the impact of the deal for the textiles sector.

He says: “India is one of the fastest growing luxury markets in the world, and we are very excited about the UK- India Free Trade Agreement coming to fruition. 

“John Smedley knitwear is already sold in over 50 countries around the world, and now that the FTA has been signed, we shall very much look forward to ensuring that an ever-increasing number of discerning luxury consumers in India will enjoy greater access to The World’s Finest Knitwear.”

 Under the terms of the deal, for UK retailers, importers and consumers Indian tariffs will be slashed, locking in reductions on 90% of tariff lines, with 85% of these becoming fully tariff-free within a decade.

UK shoppers and retail businesses could see cheaper prices and more choice on products fairly quickly including clothing and footwear as the UK liberalises tariffs.

In May, India’s fashion and textile exporters said that they were optimistic about increasing sales, with bilateral trade relations with the US and UK providing extra advantages compared to regional competitors such as Bangladesh.

Chairman of the export promotion committee of India’s Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) and managing director of export company Kaytee Corporation Pvt Ltd Premal Udani told Just Style at the time “The FTA neutralises a 10% duty, thus giving India a level playing field with some of our neighbouring countries.  We expect a minimum 30% increase in exports of apparel within the first year after the FTA is operationalised.”