Mumbai: India and the United Kingdom (UK) sorted out major differences during the latest round of talks in April end at London and announced yesterday the conclusion of the long-awaited Free Trade Agreement.

Amid fears of potential fresh tariffs under US President Donald Trump and a renewed global push for deal-making, the UK trade agreement is the first among many India is currently negotiating with including the US, the European Union, Chile, and Peru.

Once the deal comes into effect, the UK tariffs on gems and jewellery, footwear, textiles, automobile components, electrical machinery, minerals, and base metals — currently in the 2-18 per cent range — will be eliminated. This will help boost several labour-intensive sectors, the Commerce and Industry Ministry said. To protect its farmers India had excluded sensitive items such as dairy products, apples, cheese, etc. from any duty concessions.