Theresa May in Bangalore in 2016. A free trade deal with India has been seen as one of the biggest Brexit prizes

Theresa May’s plan for a “common rule book” with the EU effectively prohibits a post-Brexit free trade deal with India, a confidential report suggests.

A review conducted by the British and Indian governments this year found that EU rules on food standards and chemical safety were a significant obstacle to trade between the countries.

In the agreement reached at Chequers last week, however, the cabinet decided it would keep EU rules on goods indefinitely, meaning that Britain cannot change standards to satisfy Indian business as it pursues any deal.

When the plans for the common rule book were revealed last week, Brexiteer MPs complained that they made a trade deal with the US impossible, although the government denies this.

A free trade deal with India