India and the United Kingdom have inked a deal on social security in New Delhi to prevent double social security contributions for employees on temporary assignments in each other’s territories for up to 36 months. The agreement, signed by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri for India and British High Commissioner Lindy Cameron for the UK, aims to safeguard the interests of professionals working abroad briefly and boost the competitiveness of Indian firms. This move follows commitments made during the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) signing in July 2025.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) highlighted that such bilateral Social Security Agreements (SSAs) are crucial for protecting Indian workers overseas and enhancing the competitiveness of local businesses. The agreement is set to facilitate mobility and ensure continuous social security coverage for employees on short overseas assignments, fostering partnerships in the service sector between India and the UK. It is an integral part of the trade deal between the two countries and will be implemented alongside the CETA in the first half of the current year.
The signed agreement will be made available on the Ministry of External Affairs and Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation websites for stakeholders to obtain Certificates of Coverage (CoC) and avoid dual social security contributions. The UK’s foreign ministry noted that a reciprocal Double Contributions Convention (DCC) will streamline social security payments for employees and employers moving between the UK and India. This convention will prevent the fragmentation of social security records by ensuring that individuals pay contributions in only one country at a time.
British High Commissioner Lindy Cameron expressed optimism about the agreement, emphasizing its role in strengthening ties between the two nations and complementing the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to boost bilateral trade significantly. The agreement is poised to support businesses by simplifying social security contributions, fostering economic cooperation between India and the UK.
