A key highlight of the agreement, as stressed by Minister Goyal, is its success in safeguarding the sensitive sectors of both nations. While the pact opens avenues for increased trade, India ensured that its vital, labor-intensive sectors, including dairy, agriculture, and others crucial for subsistence farmers, remained protected from adverse competition. This firm stance reflects India’s commitment to its vast farming population and food security.

The India-UK deal serves as a significant template for India’s ongoing and future trade discussions, particularly in light of persistent pressure from the U.S. to open its agriculture sector. By successfully negotiating protections for its subsistence farmers and dairy producers with the UK, India has demonstrated a model for balancing trade liberalization with the imperative of national interest and the well-being of its rural economy.

In a reciprocal move, New Delhi granted some preferential access to certain British products, notably Scotch whisky and automobiles. This demonstrates a balanced approach to the trade agreement, where concessions are made in areas that align with broader economic objectives while maintaining strict safeguards for sectors deemed critical for domestic livelihoods and strategic importance, including the dairy industry.