12th October 2026
A UK trade mission to India has unlocked hundreds of jobs and new deals for businesses as Ministers and Mayors look to drive growth.
Business, Environment and Scotland Secretaries arrive in India with one of the largest ever regional trade missions of businesses and northern Mayors.
Fresh commercial wins bring investment and hundreds of jobs, building on the momentum of the UK-India FTA that businesses are now using
The Great North mission will promote regional strengths, attracting investment from one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.
A billion-pound trade mission to India will unlock hundreds of new jobs in the UK as Ministers, Mayors and businesses travel to Delhi and Mumbai.
The signing of the landmark UK-India FTA in July 2025, which is now in force, paved the way for a renewed trading relationship. This has given a boost to businesses, with communities across the country now set to benefit from more than £1 billion in new deals, supporting jobs and driving growth in every postcode.
It comes as the Business Secretary has travelled to India today alongside a group of northern Mayors, one combined authority leader as well as the Secretaries of State for Defra and Scotland and over 100 businesses from across a range of sectors. The mayoral mission will look to promote Northern businesses, helping them to win customers and contracts, attract more Indian visitors and forge new partnerships.
Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade Jonathan 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 in building partnerships to drive jobs, investment and growth back home.
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 highlights the UK’s ambition with one of the world’s fastest growing economies and means that, since the signing of our landmark FTA in July 2025, deals worth nearly £12 billion have been struck, helping businesses to grow, supporting jobs across local communities here at home. In the 12 months to March 2026, total UK-India trade was worth £48 billion - an increase of £3 billion year-on-year in current prices.
Tech firm Meta for Data Technologies will invest £50 million in the UK, creating 500 highly skilled jobs in London and Manchester. The investment will fund a new AI and data research centre, an engineering an AI hub, and a quantum computing lab in Greater Manchester. This comes alongside the expansion of the company’s London headquarters.
The biggest export deal meanwhile comes via Menzies Aviation – a leading UK aviation services provider which is expected to generate over £600 million in revenue from a 15-year Ground Handling Licence. The company will provide its services at India’s largest domestic cargo facility in Bengaluru, expanding its footprint across the country.
Elsewhere, premium UK kids wear brand Angel & Rocket have announced plans to open 100 stores in India over the next five years, generating an estimated £43 million in revenue.
Supported by the Secretaries of State for Defra and Scotland, the trip reflects the breadth of opportunity offered by the UK-India relationship with representatives on the trip including those from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, British Meat Processors Association, Fever Tree, Kendamil, the National Farmers’ Union, Salmon Scotland, the Scotch Whisky Association and Walker’s Shortbread.
Defra and the Scotland Office will continue to champion food and drink businesses make the most of the opportunities created by the FTA, supporting exporters to reach new customers. Whisky tariffs have already been halved from 150% to 75%, while salmon can now enter India tariff free and iconic UK biscuits like shortbread also benefitting.
Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 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.
We’re in India alongside food and drink exporters helping them showcase the best of British produce, build new trading relationships, and unlock the export opportunities for communities across the UK.”
Meanwhile, Oxford Nanopore is due to sign a memorandum of understanding with India’s Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council-Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics. This will mark the launch of a Centre for Excellence in Hyderabad, creating new opportunities for scientific collaboration between the UK and India.
During the visit, the Business Secretary will meet Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal to co-chair the latest UK-India Joint Economic and Trade Committee and co-chair the UK-India Science and Innovation Council alongside Indian Minister for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh.
This comes as the Cambridge-based Panakeia is expected to generate £27.6 million through its innovative use of AI in breast cancer diagnosis. The company will be expanding into India, selling their technology to improve cancer diagnostics – using British technology to save lives across the world.
Secretary of State for Scotland Douglas Alexander said:
It’s great news that we have Scottish businesses joining this co-ordinated UK Government trade mission to India. Our free trade agreement was hard won and will now open up a big market for high-quality products like salmon and whisky. I am determined to make sure Scotland’s producers can turn the trade deal into real business wins, by helping them access and navigate this valuable market.
Scotland’s success in markets like India is supported by the strength, reach and influence that come from being part of the UK. Boosting export opportunities and encouraging inward investment in Scotland means real benefits back at home in economic growth and jobs.”
As part of the Mumbai leg of the visit, the Business Secretary will also visit a Premier League community event, looking at the impact the league is having on community and grassroots football in India.
This week also marks the official opening of the University of Liverpool’s Bengaluru Campus – giving Indian students greater access to world-class UK degrees with 10,000 students anticipated to be studying here within 10 years.
The Business Secretary will also meet the Chief Minister of Maharashtra to launch closer regional economic cooperation, and he’ll also attend a major trade marketplace bringing together British and Indian businesses to explore new deals and investment opportunities.
The visit comes three months after the UK’s landmark deal with India entered into force with the agreement worth a boost of £25.5bn to bilateral trade every year in the long run.