India's trade deal with Britain is a sign of New Delhi's new gradual shift to opening up its markets while shielding crucial sectors from competition and could be its template for future agreements, government officials and analysts said on Friday.

The prime ministers of Britain and India have sealed a major trade agreement that will reduce tariffs on products like Scotch whisky and Indian spices.

The recently signed India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) is India's most ambitious FTA, granting 99% of Indian goods duty-free access to the UK.