New Delhi, July 23 -- Negotiating free-trade agreements (FTAs) is tough; using them is tougher. Governments present them as diplomatic breakthroughs while businesses often expect them to deliver immediate export gains. In practice, trade growth depends less on the agreement itself than on how much firms are prepared to use it.

The India-UK FTA improves India's market access. But assuming that lower tariffs will automatically translate to higher exports mistakes an opportunity for an outcome. For trade to grow significantly, small businesses must export much more. For many of them, tariffs are not the principal obstacle.

Import levies in the UK were already relatively low. The agreement will no doubt make Indian textiles, apparel and oth...