UK–India CETA: turning market access into commercial action
15 October 2026 - London | Mumabi
The UK–India trade agreement creates significant new possibilities for businesses in both markets. Realising them will depend on having the financial infrastructure to move, manage and deploy capital across borders.
On 13 October, Interpolitan Money joined more than 100 UK businesses, policymakers and industry leaders at the first UK–India CETA Marketplace in Mumbai.
Represented by Divya Mayani and Snehal Chalke, our team met the Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds MP, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, and spoke with international businesses exploring opportunities across the UK–India corridor.
The conversations focused on the practical financial infrastructure businesses need to establish accounts, manage currencies and move capital efficiently between markets.
The scale of the opportunity is substantial. The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which entered into force on 15 July 2026, will reduce or remove tariffs on 90% of tariff lines for UK goods entering India. The UK will eliminate tariffs on 99% of Indian goods, while bilateral trade is expected to increase by £25.5 billion by 2040.
These commitments improve market access, but they do not remove every practical barrier to operating across two markets. Businesses still need suitable structures, accounts, payment routes, currency capabilities and internal controls.
“CETA creates a significant opportunity for businesses in both markets, but market access is only one part of successful expansion. The conversations we had in Mumbai reinforced the need for practical cross-border financial infrastructure, from access to multi-currency accounts to international payments and foreign exchange.
“With our UK presence and growing capabilities in GIFT City, Interpolitan Money is well placed to help businesses turn international ambition into commercial activity.”
Divya Mayani, Interpolitan Money
Market access is only the beginning
Companies selling, investing or operating across the UK–India corridor may need to establish the right corporate structures, open accounts for international entities, collect and hold multiple currencies, pay suppliers and employees across markets, and manage foreign-exchange exposure.
These decisions affect how quickly a business can enter a market, how confidently it can commit capital and how effectively its finance team can maintain visibility and control as international activity grows.
Businesses are therefore more likely to benefit from CETA when they consider their financial infrastructure early in the expansion process, before contracts are signed or capital begins moving.
Building the infrastructure behind the opportunity
For UK businesses entering India, and Indian businesses expanding into the UK and other international markets, the practical questions are often similar.
Where should entities and accounts be established?
How will funds be collected, held and paid across currencies?
How will foreign-exchange exposure be identified and managed?
How will finance teams retain visibility and control as activity expands?
The right model depends on the organisation’s structure, markets, counterparties and future plans. It should support current operations while remaining flexible enough for the next stage of growth.
At Interpolitan Money, we describe this as cross-border capital infrastructure: the accounts, payment capabilities, currency solutions and specialist support that internationally active organisations need to operate across markets.
Our established UK presence and growing capabilities in GIFT City place us close to both sides of the corridor. We support international corporations, investors, funds, family offices and intermediaries as they manage the practical requirements of cross-border activity.
From agreement to execution
The long-term impact of CETA will depend on how effectively businesses use the access it provides. For many firms, that will require early decisions about accounts, payment routes, currency exposure and financial control.
The discussions in Mumbai showed that businesses want to understand both where opportunities exist and how to operationalise them. Addressing the financial infrastructure early can help convert commercial interest into sustainable cross-border activity.
Exploring opportunities across the UK–India corridor?
Speak to our team about multi-currency accounts, international payments and foreign-exchange support for cross-border operations.
Learn more about Interpolitan Money's expansion into GIFT City:
Interpolitan Money is pleased to be featured in the latest edition of India | UK Discovering Business 2027
About Interpolitan Money
Interpolitan Money provides cross-border capital infrastructure for globally active clients, businesses and intermediaries.
Headquartered in London, with offices in Dubai, Mumbai, GIFT City and Toronto, Interpolitan Money supports clients across more than 160 countries with named multi-currency accounts, FX solutions, payments, escrow, TPMA and specialist account services.
The company works with entrepreneurs, family offices, law firms, professional intermediaries, corporate structures and international businesses that require a more responsive, relationship-led approach to managing complex cross-border financial needs.
Interpolitan Money is authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), licensed by the Dubai Financial Services Authority in the DIFC, India (IFSC), and registered with FINTRAC in Canada.
For more information, visit www.interpolitanmoney.com
Comments