That alone makes the trade deal agreed between India and Britain on May 6th significant—perhaps even a “landmark”, as Britain’s prime minister and his opposite number, Narendra Modi, claimed. The deal will add a useful boost to trade between the world’s fifth- and sixth-largest economies.

India and the UK have concluded a free trade agreement, expected to be signed soon, aiming to double bilateral trade to USD 120 billion by 2030. The deal removes tariffs on Indian goods and eases immigration for Indian workers.

The two countries signed a deal three years after negotiations began to strengthen alliances in what the British prime minister called a “new era” of trade.