India may freeze Scotch duty cut at 75% as Delhi seeks 'scotch for steel' rebalance with UK

New Delhi is signalling it could withhold FTA concessions on British Scotch and gin—set to drop from 150% to 75% duty, then 40% over 10 years—unless London eases steel safeguards. A reversal would reshape pricing and assortment plans for India's premium alcobev retail, where SWA pegs the UK opportunity at £25.5 billion by 2040.

— Filed Tue, 2 Jun, 2026, 19:19 IST · Source Business Today · Latest · Updated

India may recalibrate FTA concessions on British Scotch whisky and gin, currently slated to drop from 150% to 75% duty, if UK does not ease steel safeguard measures, threatening a key category for Indian alcobev retail.