UKIBC Joins UK Prime Minister’s Delegation to India; Highlights New Trade and Investment Momentum
By Trisha Nagpal
Mumbai, October 09, – The UK India Business Council (UKIBC) was honoured to be part of the UK Prime Minister’s business delegation to India, underscoring the shared ambition to strengthen trade, investment, and innovation partnerships between the two countries.
During the visit, both governments reaffirmed commitment to the India–UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA). In a joint statement with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the two nations are “building a new modern partnership focused on the future,” adding that the visit reflects growing confidence between India and the UK.
The visit also saw major new announcements, including:
- £1.3 billion in new Indian investments into the UK.
- Agreements to expand UK university campuses in India and new film and creative collaborations, including Bollywood productions to be filmed in the UK.
- Enhanced cooperation on AI, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing, alongside new connectivity links between the two countries.
- Establishment of the India-UK Connectivity and Innovation Centre
- Establishment of the India-UK Joint Centre for AI
Richard Heald OBE, Chair, UKIBC, who was part of the delegation, said:
“The UK Prime Minister’s visit to India comes at a pivotal moment in the evolution of our bilateral relationship, defined increasingly by partnership, shared prosperity, and mutual respect. The recently signed the UK–India Free Trade Agreement embody the deep strategic and economic alignment between our two nations, and will be instrumental in shaping a more dynamic, modern, and equitable framework for trade and investment.
I am delighted to be a part of the UK PM’s delegation to India, closely attending ministerial meetings and speaking at a session on entry strategies, success stories, and support mechanisms for UK SMEs looking to export more in India. The announcements made by the Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer signal a shift from intent to action, giving businesses on both sides confidence to invest, innovate, and grow together.”
Richard also spoke at a panel on “Breaking into the Indian Market: Small Business Export Successes”, highlighting the vital role of UK SMEs and the importance of local partnerships and long-term engagement.
UKIBC remains committed to working with both governments and industry to deepen trade and investment links and to ensure that business insights continue to shape the future of the UK–India economic corridor.
About the UKIBC
UKIBC is a policy advocacy and strategic consulting not-for-profit, with a mission to grow the UK-India trade and investment. To do that, we provide strategic and practical support to businesses and universities to explore, enter, and expand in both markets.
We want to help more UK businesses to uncover opportunities and succeed in India. Businesses looking at the India opportunity need to develop a strategy based on factual market insights, and then implement that strategy. The UK India Business Council has the knowledge, networks, and people to help do this.
UK-India collaboration creates prosperity and jobs in both countries, and UK and Indian business have ideas, technology, services and products which improve lives. We work closely with the UK and Indian governments, the devolved administrations, England’s city regions, and State governments across India. We believe a strong UK-India economic partnership is a force for positive change globally.
For more information, please contact:
Nishtha Grover
Senior Manager – Communications, UK India Business Council
Mobile – +91 9818021223
Email- Nishtha.grover@ukibc.com
