On September 24, 2025, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in collaboration with the Centre for Trade and Investment Law (CTIL), hosted a seminar at Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi, on "Demystifying the IPR Chapter in the India–UK CETA”.
The seminar focused on the opportunities and concerns related to the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) provisions of the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). The seminar highlighted the balance between innovation and access, reinforcing safeguards for public health while modernizing India's IP framework. Voluntary licensing remains the preferred industry practice, while flexibilities related to compulsory licensing and public health, as per the Doha Declaration, are maintained.
The agreement will provide stronger protection of Indian Geographical Indications (GIs) in the UK market. The IPR chapter reinforces India's ability to frame rules in line with its developmental priorities and reflects India's existing legal framework. The IPR chapter of the India–UK CETA provides a template for future trade negotiations, combining regulatory rigor with flexibility, and supporting innovation while safeguarding access.
Release ID: 2170457. Contact Persons: Abhishek Dayal/Abhijith Narayanan/Shabbir Azad.
Key Entities Referenced
India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA): A trade agreement between India and the UK, with a significant chapter on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR).
Ministry of Commerce and Industry: The Indian ministry responsible for trade and industry, and the host of the seminar on the IPR chapter of the India-UK CETA.
Geographical Indications (GIs): Provisions in the India-UK CETA enabling stronger protection of Indian GIs in the UK market.
Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT): A department within the Ministry of Commerce and Industry involved in the India-UK CETA seminar.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Ministry of Commerce and Industry Host Seminar on
Demystifying IPR Chapter in India–UK CETA
Stronger Protection for Indian Geographical
Indications Underlined in India–UK Trade Talks
India Reaffirms Commitment to a Robust and
Forward-Looking IP Regime in UK Trade Talks
Balanced IP Framework in India–UK CETA to
Support Startups, MSMEs and Traditional Producers
Posted On: 24 SEP 2025 11:01AM by PIB Delhi
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and the Department of Commerce,
Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in collaboration with the Centre for Trade and Investment Law (CTIL),
organized a seminar on “Demystifying the IPR Chapter in the India–UK CETA” at Vanijya Bhawan, New
Delhi. The seminar brought together policymakers, domain experts, academia and industry representatives to
deliberate on the opportunities and concerns related to the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) provisions of the
India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).
Experts at the seminar underlined that the IPR chapter strikes a careful balance between fostering innovation
and ensuring access. It was emphasised that the provisions reinforce safeguards for public health while
modernising India’s IP framework. Participants reiterated that voluntary licensing continues to be the
preferred industry practice, while the flexibilities relating to compulsory licensing and public health, as
enshrined in the Doha Declaration, remain fully preserved.
Concerns over harmonisation of patent processes were addressed, with experts clarifying that these are
procedural improvements that in no way affect India’s regulatory autonomy.Geographical Indications (GIs)
emerged as a significant area of opportunity, with provisions in the agreement enabling stronger protection of
Indian GIs in the UK market—an important step to boost exports and enhance India’s cultural branding
globally. Industry representatives highlighted that this would benefit startups, MSMEs and traditional
producers alike.
The panels dispelled several myths surrounding the agreement and clarified that the IPR chapter does not
curtail India’s policy space. Instead, it reinforces India’s ability to frame rules in line with its developmental
priorities. It was also underlined that the chapter reflects India’s existing legal framework while sending a
positive signal to global partners and investors about the country’s commitment to a robust and forward-
looking IP regime.
The seminar concluded with the message that the IPR chapter of the India–UK CETA provides a template for
future trade negotiations—combining regulatory rigour with flexibility, supporting innovation whilesafeguarding access, and strengthening India’s position in the evolving global trade landscape.
*****
Abhishek Dayal/Abhijith Narayanan/Shabbir Azad
(Release ID: 2170457)