A UK trade mission to India has unlocked hundreds of jobs and more than £1 billion in new deals for British businesses.
Ministers, Mayors and more than 100 businesses have travelled to Delhi and Mumbai to build on the landmark UK-India Free Trade Agreement signed in July 2025.
The Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds is leading the mission alongside the Secretaries of State for Defra and Scotland, a group of northern Mayors and a combined authority leader to promote regional businesses, win contracts and attract investment.
Reynolds said: “Our trade deal with India opened the door, and now regional businesses are walking through it with our northern Mayors leading the way. This billion-pound trade mission will deepen ties with one of the world’s fastest-growing economies to bring opportunity to every postcode.”
The latest package means deals worth nearly £12 billion have been struck since the FTA was signed. Total UK-India trade was worth £48 billion in the 12 months to March 2026, up £3 billion year-on-year.
Key deals include:
• Tech: Meta for Data Technologies will invest £50m in the UK, creating 500 highly skilled jobs in London and Manchester for a new AI and data research centre, engineering and AI hub, and quantum computing lab.
• Aviation: Menzies Aviation has secured the biggest export deal, expected to generate over £600m in revenue from a 15-year Ground Handling Licence at India’s largest domestic cargo facility in Bengaluru.
• Retail: Premium kidswear brand Angel & Rocket plans to open 100 stores in India over five years, generating an estimated £43m in revenue.
• Health tech: Cambridge-based Panakeia is expected to generate £27.6m by expanding its AI-powered breast cancer diagnostics technology into India.
• Life sciences: Oxford Nanopore will sign an MoU with India’s Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council-Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics to launch a Centre for Excellence in Hyderabad.
The mission also highlights food and drink opportunities. Whisky tariffs have already been halved from 150% to 75%, salmon can now enter India tariff-free, and products like shortbread are benefiting. Representatives include the AHDB, British Meat Processors Association, Fever-Tree, Kendamil, NFU, Salmon Scotland, Scotch Whisky Association and Walker’s Shortbread.
Environment Secretary Angela Eagle said: “This government’s landmark deal with India opened the door to one of the world’s fastest-growing markets – and we are working to turn its commitments into outcomes for British farmers and food and drink companies.”
During the visit, the Business Secretary will meet Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal to co-chair the UK-India Joint Economic and Trade Committee and co-chair the Science and Innovation Council with Minister for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh.
