Indian Malt Whisky Association and Scotch Whisky Association Sign New Pact
IMWA and SWA have inked an agreement to work together on sustainability, product authenticity, legal protection, intellectual property and responsible consumption. The deal comes as the India-UK Free Trade Agreement decreases Scotch whisky import duties.
An agreement for collaboration has been inked between the Scotch Whisky Association and the Indian Malt Whisky Association. The new agreement will centre on sustainability, product protection and marketing, and involvement in regulatory concerns that both parties find important. There will be collaboration on issues such as legal protection, product authenticity, IP infringements, and responsible consumption, according to a joint statement.
Scotch whisky sales in India are predicted to increase following the implementation of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on 15 July 2026. In order to accomplish this hike, import tariffs will be reduced from 150% to 75% and then to 40% over the course of the following decade.
Win-Win Deal for UK and India
Some Indian single malt whisky firms have already achieved global renown for their quality and craftsmanship. Further, the trade treaty might provide them with new opportunities to get into the UK market. In light of the FTA's expansion of bilateral trade opportunities, the parties agreed that industry groups should work together to foster better communication. It will also let companies take advantage of possibilities in both marketplaces and communicate information more easily. With over 220 million bottles exported in 2025, India surpassed all other countries as the world's largest market for Scotch whisky, according to SWA, a Scottish distillery.
Scotch whisky exports to India have quadrupled in the last decade, demonstrating the enormous potential for growth in the Indian market. According to Maj Gen Rajesh Chopra, Director General of the Indian Malt whisky Association (IMWA), this agreement is a watershed moment in the development of India's malt whisky sector and its participation in long-standing worldwide whisky traditions. The Indian Malt whisky Association (IMWA) is a non-profit trade group that has been around since July 2024. Its members are concerned with the promotion of quality, authenticity, and uniformity in the Indian malt whisky business.
India-UK Free Trade Agreement
A landmark in their illustrious relationship, the United Kingdom and India have inked the Comprehensive Economic and Trade pact (CETA), a free trade pact between the two countries. British Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds and India's Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal inked the agreement in the presence of both Prime Ministers Modi and Starmer. The two major economies' common goal of strengthening their economic links is reflected in this, which follows the announcement of the successful conclusion of talks on May 6, 2025.
There is an objective to increase bilateral trade from its current level of USD 56 billion to twice that amount by 2030. With CETA, an unprecedented 99% of Indian exports to the UK are able to pass duty-free, accounting for nearly all of the trade value. Encouraging the creation of jobs on a big scale, this agreement will provide a boost to MSMEs, women-led businesses, and craftsmen. There will be new job opportunities and high-value opportunities made possible by the agreement's extensive package of services. These services include IT enabled services, financial and professional services, business consulting, education, telecom, architecture, and engineering.
