India-UK trade pact marks historic shift with gender equality provisions

India has included gender equality provisions in its free trade agreements (FTAs) with the Uniked Kingdom, marking a significant shift in the country's trade policy from its previous years.

According to a March 2025 report by the Export-Import Bank of India, none of India's existing FTAs or Preferential Trade Agreements (PTAs) have a single gender-specific provision or dedicated chapters on gender issues.

In a statement, the UK government stated that the inclusion of a gender chapter in the FTA will enhance opportunities for women, especially female entrepreneurs, business owners, and workers, to benefit from the agreement. The chapter also includes provisions on anti-corruption, consumer protection, labour rights, and development.

"We have championed our values–securing India’s first ever chapters in a free trade agreement on Anti-corruption, Labour rights, Gender, and Development. This chapter will enhance the opportunities for women to access the full benefits of the UK-India FTA. It will also advance women’s economic empowerment and promote gender equality through trade," a statement from the UK government said.

It added that women’s economic empowerment is a growth enabler, which is at the heart of the UK government’s agenda, and by enabling women to fully engage in trade and the economy, countries can realise their potential and boost economic growth.

If gender parity in the global economy is achieved, it could add trillions of dollars to global GDP.

As trade plays a pivotal role in driving growth and prosperity, increasing the participation of women in the labour market would, according to the World Bank, increase a country’s productivity and GDP, creating jobs and leading to greater economic diversification, innovation and poverty reduction.