India has demonstrated a great desire to strengthen international trade connections in 2026 by outlining an accelerated rollout schedule for a number of free trade agreements (FTAs). During a briefing on trade data, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal informed reporters that the eagerly anticipated India-UK free trade agreement is anticipated to take effect by May 2026. The agreement is one of several agreements scheduled for execution this year and is regarded as a crucial component of India's trade expansion plan.
Agrawal added to the list of agreements being operationalised by stating that the FTA with Oman will go into effect on June 1. On April 27, India and New Zealand are scheduled to sign a free trade agreement (FTA), which is anticipated to take effect in October 2026.Even as it continues to seek additional agreements with significant international partners, the timeline shows additional Delhi's intensified attempts to turn negotiated trade agreements into operational frameworks.
Increasing the footprint of trade
India has signed eight regional trade agreements since 2014, gradually increasing its involvement in international trade. These include the agreement with Australia, which has been in effect since December 2022; the agreement with Mauritius, which was put into effect in April 2021; and the agreement with the United Arab Emirates, which became effective in May 2022.
Additionally, India negotiated deals with the United Kingdom in July 2025 and Oman in December 2025. The agreement with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), which includes Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway, went into effect in October 2025.While negotiations with the European Union completed on January 27, 2026, negotiations with New Zealand concluded in December 2025.
US responds with emphasis
The quest for free trade agreements coincides with India's readiness to re-engage with the US on a different temporary trade deal. According to a PTI report, an official Indian delegation is expected to travel to Washington the following week to continue negotiations.
The visit comes after a framework for the first phase of the trade agreement between the United States and India was finalised. However, as modifications to the US tariff regime changed the negotiating environment, attempts to finalise the legal text were postponed.
President Donald Trump's planned broad reciprocal tariffs were rejected by the US Supreme Court, leading to a change in trade policy. Washington then levied a 150-day, universal 10% duty on imports from all nations beginning on February 24.
Under the previous framework, which called for US tariffs on Indian exports to be lowered to 18%, the action essentially neutralised India's relative advantage.
A scheduled meeting between chief negotiators was postponed last month due to the uncertainty. Given that the US is also conducting two probes under Section 301, which further complicates the talks, next week's talks are anticipated to be key.