**Policy Summary:**
On August 12, 2025, the Ministry of Mines, Government of India, convened a webinar to explore the potential benefits of the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) for the Indian mineral sector. The webinar, chaired by Shri V.L. Kantha Rao, Secretary, Ministry of Mines, aimed to foster discussion among industry stakeholders regarding opportunities arising from the CETA, with a particular focus on enhanced market access and competitiveness.
Key participants included senior officials from the Ministry of Mines and its organizations, the Minister Economic from the High Commission of India (HCI) in London, UK, and industry leaders and representatives from associations such as the Federation of Indian Mineral Industries (FIMI), the Aluminium Association of India (AAI), the Aluminium Secondary Manufacturers Association (ASMA), and the Material Recycling Association of India (MRAI), as well as Notified Private Exploration Agencies.
Discussions centered on opportunities for the Indian mineral sector, especially the aluminium industry, with emphasis on understanding product demand in the UK through roadshows and exploring research and development (R&D) collaboration between the two countries. Shri Rajiv Kumar, CEO Aluminium, Vedanta Group, presented on behalf of the AAI, outlining potential benefits for the Indian aluminium industry post-CETA. Industry leaders from NALCO, BALCO, Hindalco, ASMA, and MRAI expressed support for the trade pact and discussed strategies for gaining market momentum in the UK, particularly for the primary and secondary aluminium sectors.
Dr. Anupam Agnihotri, Director, JNARDDC, provided insights on fostering institutional cooperation in R&D, while Ms. Nidhi Mani Tripathi, Minister Economic, HCI London, highlighted market access gains through catering to specific UK product demands and emphasized the potential for R&D collaboration through the Agreement's Chapter on Innovation. Over 230 participants from across the industry attended the webinar.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Mines: The governmental body in India responsible for the regulation and development of the mines and minerals sector.
IndiaUK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement CETA: A proposed trade agreement between India and the United Kingdom aimed at enhancing economic cooperation and trade.
Shri V.L. Kantha Rao: Secretary, Ministry of Mines, India, who chaired the IndiaUK CETA webinar.
Shakil Alam: Economic Adviser Mines, who moderated the IndiaUK CETA webinar.
Federation of Indian Mineral Industries FIMI: An industry association representing the Indian mineral industry.
Aluminium Association of India AAI: An industry association representing the Indian aluminium industry.
United Kingdom: Country with which India is negotiating the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)
Vedanta Group: A diversified global natural resources company; Shri Rajiv Kumar, CEO Aluminium, Vedanta Group, gave a presentation on behalf of the Aluminium Association of India.
Ministry of Mines
India’s Mineral Sector to Benefit from the India-UK
CETA
Webinar Held by Mines Ministry Reveals
Opportunities and Way Forward
Posted On: 12 AUG 2025 7:15PM by PIB Delhi
The Ministry of Mines organized a Webinar titled, ‘India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade
Agreement (CETA) and benefits to the Indian mineral sector’, today under the chairmanship of Shri V.L.
Kantha Rao, Secretary, Ministry of Mines. The webinar was held with the objective of bringing together
Indian mineral industry to discuss potential benefits and opportunities arising from India-UK CETA.
Moderated by Economic Adviser (Mines), Shri Shakil Alam, the Webinar was attended by senior officials of
the Ministry of Mines and its organisations; Minister (Economic), High Commission of India (HCI), London,
UK; and industry leaders and representatives of several industry associations viz. Federation of Indian
Mineral Industries (FIMI), Aluminium Association of India (AAI), Aluminium Secondary Manufacturers
Association (ASMA) and Material Recycling Association of India (MRAI); Notified Private Exploration
Agencies, etc.
In his Address, Secretary (Mines) Shri V L Kantha Rao highlighted the opportunities for the Indian
mineral sector, particularly the aluminium industry, in terms of enhanced market access and
competitiveness in the FTA partner country. Towards making good use of the CETA provisions, he
emphasized the need to understand product demand in UK through roadshows. He also cited
opportunities in R&D collaboration between the two countries.
A presentation on opportunities for Indian Aluminium Industry after India-UK CETA was made by
Shri Rajiv Kumar, CEO (Aluminium), Vedanta Group, on behalf of the Aluminium Association of
India. Shri B.P. Singh, CMD NALCO; Shri Rajesh Kumar, CEO BALCO; Shri B.K. Bhatia, DG FIMI;
and other industry leaders from Hindalco, ASMA and MRAI, in their interventions welcomed the
trade pact and highlighted ways and means by which Indian mineral industry, especially the
Aluminium primary and secondary sector, can gain market momentum in the UK. Dr. Anupam
Agnihotri, Director, JNARDDC shared insights on how institutional cooperation in R&D can be taken
forward. Ms. Nidhi Mani Tripathi, Minister (Eco), HCI London, spoke about market access gains
from catering to specific product demands in the UK. She also emphasized great scope to work on
R&D through the Chapter on Innovation in the Agreement.
Over 230 participants from across the industry joined the Webinar.
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Shuhaib T
(Release ID: 2155746)