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 Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)” at Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi. The event brought together policymakers, industry experts, academia, and business representatives to discuss the opportunities and challenges arising from the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) provisions of the agreement.

Experts highlighted that the IPR chapter carefully balances innovation promotion with public access, reinforces safeguards for public health, and modernizes India’s IP framework. Voluntary licensing remains the preferred industry practice, while flexibilities for compulsory licensing and public health, as per the Doha Declaration, are fully preserved. Concerns regarding the harmonization of patent processes were clarified as procedural improvements that do not affect India’s regulatory autonomy.

Geographical Indications (GIs) emerged as a key opportunity, with provisions in the agreement enhancing protection of Indian GIs in the UK market—a move expected to benefit startups, MSMEs, and traditional producers while boosting exports and India’s cultural branding globally. Panels also dispelled myths around the agreement, emphasizing that the IPR chapter does not restrict India’s policy space but reinforces the country’s ability to frame rules aligned with developmental priorities.

The seminar concluded that the IPR chapter of the India–UK CETA provides a forward-looking template for trade negotiations, combining regulatory rigor with flexibility, supporting innovation, safeguarding access, and strengthening India’s position in the global trade landscape.