Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) vs FTA vs CEPA
Trade agreements are typologically distinguished by scope. A Free Trade Agreement (FTA) primarily eliminates or reduces tariffs on goods trade between parties. A Comprehensive Economic Partnership/Cooperation Agreement (CEPA/CECA) goes further, covering goods, services, investment, intellectual property, and regulatory cooperation. The term "Bilateral Trade Agreement," used for the proposed India-US pact, has been applied loosely to a negotiation proceeding in tranches rather than as a single comprehensive text.
- India-UAE CEPA (in force May 2022) — India's first comprehensive FTA in nearly a decade; eliminated duties on 90% of India's exports to the UAE by value, targeting $100 billion in bilateral goods trade by 2030
- India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) — signed 24 July 2025, set to enter into force 15 July 2026, providing duty-free access for the large majority of Indian exports to the UK, phased over 7-10 years
- The India-US deal under discussion has been negotiated in "tranches" rather than as one comprehensive agreement, reflecting the sensitivity of sectors like agriculture and dairy
● Tracked since August 06, 2026 · last seen August 13, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes
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