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First Post
20 minutes ago
- First Post
How UK trade deal will give Indian exports edge over China, Bangladesh, Vietnam
India and the United Kingdom signed a Free Trade Agreement on Wednesday in the backdrop of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit. Modi called the development a 'historic day in the bilateral relations'. The trade deal is expected to give Indian exports an edge over countries such as China, Bangladesh, and Vietnam. But how? read more Union commerce minister Piyush Goyal and British business secretary Jonathan Reynolds sign the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on Thursday, July 24, 2025. (Photo: ANI) India and the United Kingdom signed a free trade deal on Wednesday. The two countries concluded the deal in May after years of negotiation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his counterpart Keir Starmer have both hailed the deal. Modi called the development a 'historic day in the bilateral relations'. 'I am delighted that after the hard work of several years, our two nations have signed the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement,' Modi said. 'It is a deal that will bring huge benefits to both of our countries, boosting wages, raising living standards and putting more money in the pockets of working people. It is good for jobs, it is good for business, cutting tariffs and making trade cheaper, quicker and easier,' Starmer added. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But how will the trade deal will give Indian exports an edge over countries like Bangladesh, Vietnam and China? Let's take a closer look: What do we know? Bilateral trade between the two countries was at $55 billion in 2023/24. However, India comprises under 2 per cent of the UK's imports. The FTA aims to double bilateral trade to around $120 billion by 2030. Talks on a separate Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) remain ongoing. Indian negotiators managed to eliminate tariffs on 99 per cent of Indian exports to the UK. The deal will boost labour-intensive sectors such as textiles, leather, apparel and footwear, toys, marine products, gems and jewellery. Many of these currently face tariffs ranging from 4 per cent to 16 per cent. India could benefit to the tune of $2 billion thanks to the trade deal. This is because its exports would immediately become competitive over its neighbours including Bangladesh, Vietnam and China in several categories. In textiles alone, there are 1,143 separate items that could benefit. Readymade garments or home textiles, carpets, handicrafts and traditional items such as pashmina shawls or Kanchipuram or bandhini sarees will benefit. India is currently the UK's fourth-largest textile supplier to UK. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It comprises around six per cent of imports. Indian officials say India's footwear market could see a huge benefit particularly athleisure, sports shoes, Vellore and Kolhapuri chappals and traditional leather shoes. A model walks the runway wearing Kolhapuri chappals during the Prada collection show at Milan's Fashion Week Menswear Spring/Summer 2026, in Milan. AFP India could also increase its share of UK's $30 billion pharma imports. India's share in 2024 stood at just $1 billion India could also gain when it comes to generic medicine, ECG and X-ray machines. India exported chemicals worth $570 million to the UK in 2024. The Centre is hoping to increase this by 30 to 40 per cent after more than 1,200 chemicals will receive duty-free access. The gems and jewellery sector, where valued at $940 million, could also benefit. Much of India's overall gains could come from China. China After the British tariffs are done away with, India could become more competitive in exports in which China is currently dominant valued at $1 billion. This includes categories such as machine parts, coffee, silver jewellery and footwear. China in 2024 sent machine parts valued at $248.5 million to the UK. India, meanwhile, sent machine parts worth $215.3 million. India exported coffee worth $12 million to the UK in 2024, while China sent coffee worth $11.1 million. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India exported coffee worth $12 million to the UK in 2024, while China sent coffee worth $11.1 million. India could also massively benefit when it come to silver jewellery and footwear. India's exports to the UK in these categories comprise just a third of China's. India cut also cut China's lead in the UK when it comes to processed food and baked items. Indonesia India could also cut into Indonesia's exports in the UK. This could potentially impact around 10 per cent of its exports. It could occur in sports footwear and toys such as tricycles, scooters, and pedal cars. Thailand and Vietnam The deal could impact around 3.8 per cent of Thailand's exports – goods worth around $200 million. India could gain ground on Thailand when it comes to processed food preparations and baked items. Vietnam could see its imports impacted to the tune of $346.6 million. Pakistan and Bangladesh Pakistan and Bangladesh could also take a hit. Bangladesh could be impacted in about 4.8 percent of its exports to the UK. However, keeping in mind categories with a tariff gap, that figure could rise to 7.6 per cent. Pakistani exports could be impacted by between 2.3 per cent to 15 per cent. Its exports to the UK are currently estimated at $2.14 billion. Exports in apparel, footwear, and food products such as spices and fish could be impacted. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Exports in apparel, footwear coming from China, Vietnam and Bangladesh could be impacted. File image/AFP Bangladesh could suffer heavily when it comes to leather and textiles. 'Leather exports are expected to increase their market share in the UK by five percentage points.', an official told The Hindu. With inputs from agencies
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First Post
20 minutes ago
- First Post
'From one chaiwala to another': Who is Akhil Patel, the Indian-origin man who served masala tea to Modi in London?
PM Narendra Modi and British PM Keir Starmer marked the signing of a Free Trade Agreement over a cup of masala tea served by Akhil Patel, founder of Amala Chai. The London-based tea brand has been gaining popularity for its fresh and flavourful Indian-style tea read more Akhil Patel, the founder of London-based Amala Chai, served up freshly brewed Indian-style tea to both PM Modi and British PM Starmer. Image courtesy: Instagram/@NarendraModi The UK has always had a soft spot for tea. So when Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose early days as a tea seller are widely known, visited the country, it was only fitting that 'chai pe charcha' made its way to the agenda. The moment took place at Chequers, the official country home of British PM Keir Starmer, where the two leaders marked the signing of a major Free Trade Agreement (FTA) over a shared cup of masala chai. But what drew even more attention than the tea itself was the man serving it. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Dressed in a simple kurta and wearing an easy smile, Akhil Patel, the founder of London-based Amala Chai, served up freshly brewed Indian-style tea to both leaders. As he handed over the cups, he looked at PM Modi and said, 'From one chaiwala to another.' The sweet moment quickly went viral on social media, shining a spotlight on the story of Akhil Patel and his homegrown chai label that's been quietly carving out its space in the UK. Here's what we know about the 'London Chaiwala'. Who is Akhil Patel? Akhil Patel is the founder of Amala Chai, a London-based brand dedicated to bringing real, flavourful Indian masala chai to the UK. His family's roots in Britain run deep. His grandmother moved there over five decades ago in search of better opportunities. Patel studied management at the London School of Economics and began his career as a data analyst. But in 2019, he decided to take a different path, fuelled by the memories of drinking chai with his grandmother. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Sharing those memories in a LinkedIn post, Patel wrote: 'I grew up with masala chai — my dad brewed it every morning, and every time I arrived at my grandma's, she would offer to put some chai on.' Over time, he noticed that the chai served in most British cafés didn't taste quite right. It lacked the depth and familiarity of the chai he knew from home. That led him to start Amala Chai, using his grandmother's original recipe, made with single-origin tea from his family-run farms in Assam and spices sourced from Kerala. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Speaking in an interview shared by the British Museum earlier this year, Patel said he was struck by how chai was often misrepresented in the UK. 'It was often overly milky, too sugary, and lacked the complexity of real masala chai,' he said. In another LinkedIn post, he added, 'She's still wondering why I'm in the tea business, but I'm proud to say her chai masala recipe is now loved by thousands.' The story of Amala chai Amala Chai started out in 2019 as a small stall on Brick Lane, one of London's most vibrant food streets. Each cup was brewed fresh on the stove, the traditional way, just like it's made in Indian homes. It didn't take long for the stall to draw attention. People were clearly looking for something more authentic than the overly sweet 'chai lattes' served in most cafes. The name Amala comes from Sanskrit, meaning 'pure.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Today, Amala Chai offers loose-leaf tea blends, spice mixes, and even chai-making tools like milk pans and strainer mugs. According to their social media page, the brand has served over 400,000 cups so far. Their work hasn't gone unnoticed. In May, the British Museum featured Amala Chai in a short video, showcasing its commitment to sourcing directly from farms and preserving Indian chai traditions in the UK. While Akhil Patel himself didn't post anything about the recent event with PM Modi, the official Amala Chai Instagram shared a behind-the-scenes video from the big day. The caption read: 'Just a casual Thursday serving chai for @narendramodi @keirstarmer What a crazy day! Beyond honoured. We'll be sharing the full story with you next week so keep your eyes peeled!' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With input from agencies
India.com
20 minutes ago
- India.com
Sourced From India, Brewed In London: PM Modis Chai Pe Charcha Moment In UK Goes Viral
New Delhi: In a symbolic and heartwarming gesture, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his British counterpart Keir Starmer celebrated the signing of the much-anticipated India-UK Free Trade Agreement by sharing a cup of freshly brewed masala chai at Chequers, the UK Prime Minister's official countryside residence. A modest yet evocative tea stall was set up on the lush lawns of Chequers, featuring a banner that read, "Freshly brewed masala chai. Sourced from India, brewed in London." Behind the stall stood Akhil Patel, a UK-based entrepreneur and founder of Amala Chai, proudly pouring steaming cups of spiced tea for the two leaders. PM Modi later posted a photo of the moment on Instagram, captioned: 'Chai Pe Charcha with PM Keir Starmer at Chequers... brewing stronger India-UK ties!' The photo quickly went viral, not just for the high-level diplomacy, but also for the presence of Patel, dubbed by social media as the 'London Chaiwala'. In a clip shared by Amala Chai's Instagram handle, PM Modi can be seen smiling as he waits for his tea. 'You can have a taste of India,' he says. Patel, dressed in a traditional Indian kurta, carefully describes the rich spice blend: 'It's got cardamom, nutmeg, black pepper…' Then, handing a cup to Modi, he adds with a grin: 'From one chaiwala to another.' Modi nods in appreciation, clearly moved. UK Prime Minister Starmer took a sip and responded warmly: 'Oh, lovely. Yeah, really lovely, nice.' Amala Chai captioned their Instagram post, 'Just a casual Thursday serving chai for @narendramodi @keirstarmer. What a crazy day! Beyond honoured. We'll be sharing the full story with you next week, so keep your eyes peeled!' Who Is Akhil Patel: The 'London Chaiwala'? Akhil Patel is the founder of Amala Chai, a small-batch chai brand based in London known for its clean sourcing, cultural authenticity, and respect for traditional chai brewing. Patel's family has deep roots in the UK; his grandmother migrated over 50 years ago seeking a better life. He studied management at the London School of Economics and initially worked as a data analyst before following a more personal calling. In 2019, driven by nostalgia and the memory of chai shared with his grandmother, Patel made a bold career switch. On LinkedIn, he once reflected: 'I grew up with masala chai, my dad brewed it every morning, and every time I arrived at my grandma's, she would offer to put some chai on.' Frustrated by the lack of authentic chai in cafés across the UK, Patel launched Amala Chai using his grandmother's treasured recipe. The blend uses single-origin tea leaves and spices sourced from family-run farms in Assam and Kerala, bringing a genuine taste of India to teacups in London and beyond. A Tasteful Gesture, A Brewing Partnership Beyond the photo-op, the moment captured at Chequers speaks volumes about the evolving India-UK relationship, grounded not just in policy but in shared experiences and cultural connection. And for Akhil Patel, a young entrepreneur with roots in both nations, it marked a dream fulfilled, serving chai to a leader who once sold tea on railway platforms, now sharing a symbolic cup on a global stage. As trade deals are inked and political ties deepen, perhaps it's chai, steeped in tradition, memory, and warmth, that offers the most comforting sign of all: that the bond between India and the UK is not only strategic but also deeply human.
