India‑UK CETA Set to Unlock Global Markets for Haryana, Says CM Nayab Singh Saini

At a modest‑looking university hall in Gurugram, Haryana’s chief minister, Nayab Singh Saini, stood before a crowd of officials, investors and a few curious students. He spoke about the India‑UK Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement – a mouthful, sure, but one he described as a “real game‑changer” for the state.

“This isn’t just another trade pact,” Saini said, his voice carrying a mix of excitement and a hint of nervous optimism. “It will open doors for our textile weavers, our footwear designers, our gem‑cutters and even the engineers tinkering in small workshops. The UK market will be a lot more reachable now.”

The agreement, he explained, goes beyond tariffs. It promises smoother customs, better standards alignment and, crucially, a platform that could connect Haryana’s youth, farmers, MSMEs and fledgling startups with investors and technology partners from across the globe.

He thanked the British High Commission’s delegation for co‑organising the “Haryana‑UK CETA Trade Bridge: Unlocking Global Opportunities for Haryana” programme. The event, a joint effort with the UK mission, felt like a small but symbolic bridge‑building exercise, one that Saini believes will strengthen the long‑standing India‑UK friendship rooted in shared democratic values.

Speaking of ties, Saini highlighted the millions of Indians living abroad – many of them Haryanvi families – who have contributed to the UK’s economy, while British institutions have, in turn, supported Haryana’s growth over the years. “Our relationship is more than trade; it’s people, ideas and mutual respect,” he added.

He also placed the CETA within a broader national vision. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India aims to become a developed nation by 2047 – the centenary of independence, which will also mark 100 years of formal India‑UK relations. In that spirit, Haryana has set an ambitious target: to add roughly one trillion dollars to India’s GDP.

Looking ahead, Saini announced that the state will host the “Happening Haryana Global Investors Summit‑2027” from 5‑7 April 2027. The last summit, back in 2016, attracted proposals worth Rs 6.41 lakh crore. This time, the state hopes to eclipse that, riding on the momentum of the “Happening Haryana 2.0” outreach campaign launched in Mumbai, where MoUs worth over Rs 66,000 crore were signed with 17 companies.

To spread the word, roadshows are planned in seven Indian metros and nine global hubs – Japan, South Korea, Davos, Germany, the UK, Brazil, Chile and Dubai. “If you’re a farmer with a tech‑savvy solution, or a startup building the next AI‑driven platform, we want you on board,” Saini urged.

On the policy front, the Haryana government just rolled out ten sector‑specific frameworks covering everything from semiconductors and AI to electric vehicles and agribusiness. The goal? Pull in fresh investment of about Rs 5 lakh crore and create more than ten lakh jobs by the 2030‑31 fiscal year.

And the numbers are already coming in. On day one of the policy launch, 110 MoUs were inked, pledging Rs 1.10 lakh crore – including foreign investment of Rs 24,350 crore. “It feels like the first stone of a longer road,” Saini reflected, smiling.

In short, the India‑UK CETA isn’t just a trade document; for Haryana it could be the ticket to a more connected, tech‑forward and globally‑integrated future.